Craneway Pavilion pickleball courts in Richmond closed amid dispute

RICHMOND Chains have shackled the doors of Richmond s Craneway Pavilion for weeks amid a dispute between the advancement company that leases the building from the city and a subtenant that has operated pickleball courts there for just over a year Since March a pickleball club has operated out of the Craneway Pavilion a former Ford plant turned World War II van assembly plant turned event space that s owned by the city of Richmond but leased by Orton Growth at annually for years The courts there fell silent about two weeks ago after silver chains were wrapped around the door handles of the historic building and signs were posted in the windows informing the general that the Craneway Pavilion is closed for pickleball and other events A silver chain dangles from the front door of the Craneway Pavilion May shuttering a controversial pickleball club Sierra Lopez Bay Area News Group Site operator Rachel Hong shared two messages to members that were posted online by pickleball court supporter Darlene Vendegna and in former Mayor Tom Butt s newsletter In the messages Hong stated they were pursuing legal remedies to resolve the dispute and get the club reopened as soon as viable Hong did not specify what may have led to their forced ousting We know this is disappointing news and we share your frustration This situation is not what we required but it has become necessary in order to stand up against actions that we believe are unjust and harmful to our pickleball public read a message shared Sunday Our commitment to you remains unchanged We are doing everything we can to fight for the future of the club and to reopen our doors as soon as circumstances allow Legal filings were not discovered in the Contra Costa Superior Court system as of publication Representatives with Orton Evolution including founder Eddie Orton firm President James Madsen and Asset Manager Michelle Heredia did not straightaway respond to requests for comment Neither did Hong Richmond Neighborhood Rise Director Lina Velasco revealed in a May email that the only information she had at the time was from the constituents The dispute she declared is between Orton Progress and the pickleball court operators not the city The chains on the door are not a effect of any City actions Velasco commented Signs taped to the front door and window of the Craneway Pavilion inform the populace of the closure of a controversial pickleball club May Sierra Lopez Bay Area News Group Opening Pickleball courts at the Craneway has been controversial While supporters shared excitement about the opportunity to play indoors avoiding temperamental weather opponents protested the courts out of concern other area events that were once held at the site would be forced out like arts and crafts show roller derby the Rosie the Riveter festival and Fourth of July celebrations One of those events the Craneway Craft Fair was moved last year to the Henry J Kaiser Center for the Arts another Orton-owned building in Oakland after operating out of the pavilion for almost a decade Niamh Lyonhart executive director of the marketplace which has since been renamed Fellowship of Craft announced in an Instagram post on May that no events will be held this year because they have been unable to find a location within their budget and size After searching and even trying various new venues we ve hit a wall there just aren t any Bay Area venues that fit our size and our budget read the post This isn t goodbye forever just a pause while Jacob and I reconnect with our own creative work and imagine what the future might look like Related Articles Permanent pickleball court location divides Milpitas residents Pickleball too easy Check out this racquet sport The legality of operating a pickleball club out of the space has also been called into question In two letters in July and April the California State Lands Commission which co-governs oversight of the property with the city definitively ruled that operating the site primarily as a pickleball club was not permitted under an agreement between the city and commission The site can be used for overnight accommodations restaurants and cafes water-related industry museums regarding waterfront history visitor-serving retail or boating and ferry provision according to the agreement Merely having food services available at the pickleball courts does not align the project with the citizens trust easement or the Residents Trust Doctrine read the July letter referencing legal requirements that the state protect society access to natural and coastal materials City zoning also prohibits a business from using more than of its floor space for accessory uses a standard City Attorney Dave Aleshire reported was exceeded Orton argued it fell under that requirement when calculating for outdoor space and noted they had a right to change the decor and theme of the venue Councilmembers and the city ultimately did not intervene after receiving the State Lands Commission s letters asserting they were bound by a poorly written lease adopted decades ago