Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad to Get 8-Court Pickleball Centre

Ahmedabad: Pickleball enthusiasts in Ahmedabad may soon have a dedicated place to play, train and compete, with the civic body planning an eight-court facility at the Sabarmati Riverfront.

The Sabarmati Riverfront Development Corporation Limited (SRFDCL), on behalf of the Amdavad Municipal Corporation (AMC), has invited bids to develop and operate the proposed High Performance Pickleball Centre on a 7,000-square-metre plot behind the National Institute of Design (NID) on the western bank of the Sabarmati River.

The facility will be developed under a Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Maintain (DBFOM) model, with a private operator responsible for its construction and operations.

The proposed centre will have at least eight national- and international-standard pickleball courts, along with tournament-grade lighting, warm-up areas and spectator seating. It will also include coaching and high-performance training facilities, sports science and recovery facilities, physiotherapy, changing rooms, first-aid facilities, a café or food court, and parking for at least 50 cars.

Importantly, the centre will not be restricted to professional players. It will also offer a pay-and-play facility, allowing residents to book courts and play without enrolling in an elite training programme. The venue will also be equipped to host professional tournaments and other competitive events.

An SRFDCL official said the project is being planned in view of the growing popularity of pickleball among youngsters. For regular players, the facility could also provide a more accessible alternative to private courts.

Under the tender terms, the selected operator will have to invest at least Rs 1.5 crore in developing the facility before starting commercial operations. The lease will initially be for eight years, with an option to extend it by another four years, subject to the required approvals.

The operator will pay SRFDCL a minimum guaranteed annual payment of Rs 7 lakh, excluding applicable taxes. The amount will increase by 10% every three years. Revenue sharing with SRFDCL will begin from the second year, rising from 10% in Year 2 to 16% in Year 8. If the lease is extended, SRFDCL will receive 25% of gross revenue during Years 9 to 12.

The selected operator will get a three-month moratorium after receiving the Letter of Allotment, during which it will be required to complete the development and make the facility operational.

At the end of the lease period, the operator will have to dismantle the structures and hand the plot back to SRFDCL in its original condition. DeshGujarat