Anxious Downbeach pickle-ballers still waiting and wondering. Will they be able to play this Memorial Day Weekend?
Ventnor Commissioner Lance Landgraf, who oversees Public Works, will call that shot once contractors provide an update on the courts rebuild.
Next: painting stripes, installing new posts and netting.
So, when can we sign up and pay for a 2026 Ventnor Pickleball season pass?
At one time, the Ventnor website reported MAY 18. We also heard that ‘Court Reserve’ starts May 20, 2026. None of that has been confirmed by the City or Ventnor REC Dept.
But the big news here… is season pass pricing.
$150 for Ventnor Pickleball Court summer season pass? Still waiting for official confirmation on that. City Hall may have to pass a resolution?
Business Admin Tom Ciccarone has yet to make official announcement.
So far, we reached out to City Manager Tom Ciccarone, Mayor Tim Kriebel, Commissioner Lance Landgraf and others to double-confirm this info. We’re still waiting for a response after multiple requests.
Thx to Ventnor Pickleball Committee’s Pat Harrigan for keeping close watch on this.
We also left a message with Ventnor’s awesome REC director, Diane Logue.
Over past few years, Ventnor Pickleball court fees have been hiked from $75, to $100, and now $150 for the 2026 season.
It’s unknown who recommended the 50% increase.
For comparison, Ocean City charges $90. Margate is $100. We’ve been told that Brigantine even offers a senior discount.
Raising the pickleball court fees to $150 represents a 50% increase from last year and a doubling of the fees compared to previous years.
Although I appreciate the improvements made to the courts, I believe that the substantial taxes we already pay should allow for only a nominal fee for court use. Paying 50% more than last year does not seem justified under these circumstances.
Over the past years, players have been paying high fees for courts that were in poor condition. The recent renovations have brought the courts up to the standard of those in Margate. It is worth noting that Margate only charges $100 for court use, and their tax rate is 50% lower than that of Ventnor.
Additionally, other new recreational facilities provided in the area, like the basketball courts, do not require participants to pay fees. This raises questions about the fairness of imposing such a significant increase for pickleball and tennis courts. Please reconsider the increase.
And consider getting sponsors for the courts to recoup the construction costs instead of just passing cost on to heavily taxed players looking to recreate.
Well said Andy !
No change in prices will be reasonable in these times of high gas prices and the return of inflation.
John , Ventnor
With the high fees imposed to play pickleball it is annoying that the bathroom and water fountain facilities by the tennis and pickleball courts are locked between 1 and 4 pm.
This is unhealthy for the players and unsafe in the event of an injury since it is a place out of the sun to wait for help.
Also isn’t the defibrillator housed in there? How easy it would be to hire someone to man that area and check in the players who sign up and pay for those courts between 1 and 3. What is the reason it is locked for those 3 hours.
Honestly one employee for three hours each day is affordable considering the revenue brought in by the hundreds of players and guest fees generated by the tennis and pickleball players.