‘Super-exciting’: Sunriver Resort converting 18 tennis courts to pickleball

(Update: Adding video, KTVZ.COM Poll)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Sunriver Resort says it will open 10 outdoor pickleball courts on August 8 -- National Pickleball Day. Another eight indoor courts are slated to open in September at their gym, the Sage Springs Spa & Fitness Center.

Lindsay Borkowski, director of sales and marketing for Sunriver Resort, says the resort is making the changes from the previous tennis courts focus as members and guests often asked for more pickleball opportunities.

"What we're seeing is there's so much demand, but not a lot of inventory in Central Oregon," Borkowsksi said. "We wanted to be able to accommodate that and really offer what we think the majority of our guests and members would want -- which is pickleball."

It'll be a semi-private pickleball complex, and members will also get access to Sage Springs Spa & Fitness Center.

Steven Miles is an avid pickleball player at the resort. He says the change is exciting for players around Central Oregon.

"I think it's going to attract a lot of people to this area to play pickleball, which is also a need -- to get a nice variety of play," Miles said.

The resort's goal is to create an outdoor hub to enhance the social aspect of the sport.

"It's super-exciting," Miles said. "I didn't know six months ago, when I joined pickleball here at Sunriver, but now, they're really unveiling like a destination."

You have to be a Sunriver Pickleball Club member or a resort guest and pay a fee to play.

The Sunriver Owners Association, which is separate from the resort, still has 17 tennis courts.