Construction begins Monday on a planned pickleball expansion at Copper Sky Recreation Complex.

The project adds six new outdoor pickleball courts next to the existing courts, doubling the outdoor court count at the city recreation complex. The existing courts will remain open during construction, according to the city.

The May 11 start date marks the next step for a project first reported in December, when the city released a site plan showing the new courts would be built in the current sand volleyball area.

The volleyball courts will be relocated slightly north of their current location, between the new pickleball courts and existing basketball courts. The volleyball courts will temporarily close during construction and reopen once the relocation is complete.

City officials budgeted $800,000 for design and construction of the new outdoor courts as part of Copper Sky’s capital improvement plan.

The project comes as pickleball demand continues to outpace available court space in Maricopa. The city’s first official pickleball league began in October 2024, and city budget documents said the six existing courts were not enough for organized play and drop-in use.

“Demand for pickleball has grown rapidly, and we want to stay ahead of it,” Parks and Recreation Director Rocky Brown said in a statement Thursday. “These new courts will give players of all levels more opportunities to get out and play.”

The outdoor courts are only part of Copper Sky’s larger pickleball buildout.

The city also expects the new Fieldhouse at Copper Sky to open later this year with 12 indoor pickleball courts. Combined with six existing indoor courts inside the Copper Sky Gymnasium, Copper Sky will have 18 indoor courts when the Fieldhouse opens.

Once both projects are complete, Copper Sky will have 30 pickleball courts.