by April Scheinoha
Editor
The Thief River Falls Pickleball Association seeks $30,000 from the City of Thief River Falls to construct two pickleball courts. The Thief River Falls City Council tabled consideration of the request at its meeting Tuesday, Oct. 21 in order for the request to be reviewed at a budget meeting the next day.
The association seeks $15,000 in 2026 and $15,000 in 2027 to construct two additional outdoor courts adjacent to its three courts north of Franklin Middle School. The association has received bids totalling $91,320 for the project. The bids include such things as fencing, nets and standards, and surface painting.
Kermit Genereux, an association member serving on its Expansion Committee, said there are a lot of people waiting at times to play pickleball at the courts. He noted there are more than 100 people per week who play pickleball there and the courts draw people from outside of Thief River Falls. Besides enabling more adults to play pickleball at one time, the additional pickleball courts would enable FMS physical education classes to more readily utilize the courts.
Pickleball has seen an increase in interest in recent years. Genereux indicated that Argyle, Crookston, Detroit Lakes, East Grand Forks and Mentor all have pickleball courts with Red Lake Falls currently building four.
Mayor Mike Lorenson noted the city hasn’t budgeted for a $15,000 donation to the association in 2026.
Genereux replied that he understands the parks and recreation budget is limited, but he said there were maybe some areas where the city could cut expenses or hold off on making purchases.
Council member Michele McCraw said she was excited about the plans, but she was concerned about where the city would obtain the funding.
Lorenson later noted the impact of such a request on the city. Noting he is in favor of additional pickleball courts, Lorenson said it equates to about a half-percent increase in the city’s property tax levy.
In an interview with the Northern Watch on Wednesday, City Administrator Angie Philipp noted a $15,000 request would equal a 0.38% increase.
In September, the council adopted a preliminary 2026 property tax levy of $4,762,282, an increase of 21.82% over 2025. The council may lower that amount prior to formal adoption in December; however, it cannot increase that amount.