Travel Lane County Charitable Fund Donates $50K to New Pickleball Facility

The Travel Lane County Charitable Fund in Eugene, Oregon, has announced a $50,000 donation to the planned Regional Pickleball Complex at Lane Community College.

The Emerald Valley Pickleball Foundation aims to break ground on the complex in May 2025 and finish construction by fall 2025. The facility will feature 24 lighted courts, 10 of them covered, and will be open to the public. It will be one of the largest dedicated pickleball facilities in the Pacific Northwest.

“Travel Lane County is thrilled to see the first charitable fund distribution go to the planned Regional Pickleball Facility at Lane Community College,” said Kari Westlund, president and chief executive officer, Travel Lane County. “This facility is a perfect match for the vision the Travel Lane County Charitable Fund board foresaw when establishing a 501(c)(3) fund. The partnership between Lane County voters, Lane County, the City of Eugene, Lane Community College, Travel Lane County and other donor and sponsors will bring to life a facility that serves local residents while providing an opportunity to host tournaments that will bring economic impacts throughout the year.”

The Travel Lane County Charitable Fund is an Oregon nonprofit corporation. Donations to the fund are directed to one of the organization’s identified projects or go into a fund for future giving as determined by the Fund Board.

In 2022, Lane County voters approved a tax levy that will fund $500,000 of the $5 million cost of the complex. The Emerald Valley Pickleball Foundation plans to finance the project with a blend of public and private funds, as well as ongoing fundraising efforts.

Travel Lane County Charitable Fund will be a permanent sponsor of one of the new courts. The local club has grown from 45 founding members in 2015 to nearly 900 members today.

“We are thrilled to have Travel Lane County as a partner on this project,” said Eric Wold, board member of the Emerald Valley Pickleball Foundation. “This project will provide a much-needed place for local players to play, and it will also be a destination for tourism and travel into the Eugene/Springfield area.”

A preliminary event impact summary conducted by Travel Lane County estimated a large regional tournament drawing 600 overnight attendees and 1,500 day attendees would generate an estimated $1.5 million in lodging, restaurant and entertainment sales.