The Coppell Parks and Recreation Board met Monday evening at Coppell City Hall to review ongoing facility projects, prioritize future improvements to the Cozby Library and Community Commons and The CORE.
A focus of the meeting was the Wagon Wheel Tennis and Pickleball Center Feasibility Study. The WWT and PCF study, which began in May 2024, assesses how the facility can meet growing community needs for court space, parking and upgraded amenities.
“Pickleball has exploded in popularity here,” Wagon Wheel Tennis and Pickleball general manager Joe Weber said. “We have reached a point where court time is constantly full, and that tells us the community is ready for more opportunities to play.”
Currently, the complex features seven tennis courts, 12 pickleball courts, three hybrid tennis courts, six hybrid pickleball courts, and a clubhouse equipped with offices, locker rooms and a pro shop.
“The pickleball program is nearing maximum capacity, with 30,685 hours of annual court use, while tennis usage totals 31,759 hours annually, representing a 58–62% utilization rate. Those numbers really show how active our community has become,” Weber said. “It’s a good problem to have, it means people are using our facilities, connecting with others and staying healthy.”
Board members discussed the possibility of expanding parking, adding shade structures and developing additional courts. They also explored the potential for a family-friendly space, such as a playground, to make the facility more inclusive.
(Srithika Dasari )
“There is clearly growing demand for both tennis and pickleball,” vice chair Mary Arnold said. “As we talk about expanding, we also have to think about practical needs like storage, weather safety and accessibility so the facility serves everyone effectively.”
Director of community experiences Jessica Carpenter said the full expansion could cost between $7-$10 million, which is a conservative estimate, though final figures will depend on material and construction costs and timeline.
In the discussion, the board unanimously agreed to combine all tennis and pickleball-related items into a single Wagon Wheel Expansion project and designate it as a high-priority initiative on the city’s master list.
The board also highlighted the importance of renovating The CORE, Coppell’s oldest recreation space, which has not undergone major updates in more than 25 years. The proposed overhaul would modernize aquatics facilities, improve accessibility and reimagine common spaces to better serve the community.
“The CORE is the oldest recreation space in Coppell, and needs to be renovated even with the current repairs happening,” Carpenter said.
Board members presented updates on ongoing projects, including the completion of Magnolia Park Trail, continued progress on the Dog Park renovation and the nearing completion of Veterans Plaza, which is expected to open on Nov. 11. The MacArthur Park playground project is planned to begin construction late this fall.
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