The pickleball complex planned for Freedom Park in Camarillo could drop from 16 courts to 14.

The Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District (PVRPD) board is set to vote Wednesday, Oct. 7, on a revised design that would reduce the Freedom Park Pickleball Complex from 16 dedicated courts to 14. The change stems from utility infrastructure and access easement requirements identified during final project review, according to the board's meeting agenda.

The 6 p.m. meeting takes place at Camarillo City Hall Council Chambers, 601 Carmen Dr.

What changed

The board approved a 16-court, 49-stall parking layout in July 2022 after three public design workshops, according to the district's project page. The complex is planned for the site of the former Freedom Park Pool at 275 E. Pleasant Valley Road, adjacent to the Camarillo Airport.

But the project hit setbacks. The original architect, Lauterbach & Associates, permanently closed in April 2025. The board hired Jordan & Bain Landscape Architects to take over the design.

At the board's Sept. 2 meeting, Administrative Analyst Jessica Puckett presented an amendment adding $40,000 to Jordan & Bain's contract, bringing the total to $160,390.

Board members discussed water line easement and utility constraints that could reduce the court count to 14. Directors Elaine Magner, David Schlangen, Fernandez, Bev Dransfeldt and Chair Robert Kelley voted unanimously to approve the amendment, according to meeting minutes.

The district has dedicated $1.4 million in Quimby development funding to Phase 1 design, demolition and construction. As of May 31, the district had spent about $293,500 of a $1.05 million capital budget line for the complex, according to a June finance committee report.

No construction start date or completion timeline has been announced.

Other agenda items

The Oct. 7 meeting also includes:

  • Parks ordinance overhaul: A first reading of Amended and Restated Ordinance No. 8, governing use of parks, recreation areas and facilities. Directors Kelley and Magner have been finalizing the revision through the Policy Committee.
  • CalPERS unfunded liability: A review of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) actuarial valuation as of June 2025. The board's suggested action is to direct staff and the Finance Committee to explore options for reducing future unfunded liability payments. The district budgeted $657,229 for those payments in its fiscal year 2026 budget.
  • Strategic plan goals: Consideration of updated 2027–2032 Five-Year Strategic Plan goals.

How to weigh in

Residents can speak on any agenda item for up to three minutes. Written materials are available for public inspection at the PVRPD office, 1605 E. Burnley St., Camarillo, beginning the Friday before the meeting. The district can be reached at (805) 482-1996.