The Lakes Area Pickleball Association (LAPA), in a strategic partnership with the City of East Gull Lake, is proud to announce the development of a new, state-of-the-art pickleball complex. This initiative aims to meet the surging local demand for court space and establish the Brainerd Lakes area as a premier destination for pickleball enthusiasts. The fundraising campaign for this community-focused project officially kicked off in June 2025.

The Vision: More Than Just Courts

This multi-sport complex is a significant community project designed to replace the courts that were removed in 2024. The development will feature:

• Ten individually fenced pickleball courts with permanent nets.

• A new tennis court, funded by the City of East Gull Lake.

• A large parking lot with a capacity for over 75 vehicles, designed to support daily use and large regional tournaments.

• A permanent donor wall to celebrate the individuals, families, and businesses who contribute to the project.

The project will transform a decommissioned public site into a vibrant source of community pride and enjoyment for generations to come.

Location

The future home of the complex is the site of the former North Wastewater Treatment Facility, located at 1196 Poplar Drive North. After the facility's full decommissioning and leveling in 2025, the site will offer a prime, shovel-ready location for this high-end outdoor facility.

Why This Project Matters

The passion for pickleball is exploding nationally, and the Brainerd Lakes area is no exception. Currently, the limited number of courts are consistently crowded, forcing players to wait for court time or travel to other areas for competitive play.

This new 10-court facility will immediately solve this issue, providing the high-quality courts our thriving community deserves. Beyond serving local players, the complex is an economic engine. By hosting tournaments, leagues, and clinics, it will attract visitors who will stay in our hotels, dine at our restaurants, and shop at our local businesses, bringing new revenue to the community.

A Community Effort: How You Can Help

To complement the city's contribution, we are launching a campaign to raise $250,000. We invite local businesses and residents who are passionate about investing in our community to partner with us. All donations to LAPA, a registered 501(c)(3) organization, are tax-deductible.

Donation Tiers & Recognition:

To honor our generous supporters, we have established several recognition tiers:

• $50,000 - Complex Naming Rights*: Secure the naming rights for the entire complex.

• $10,000 - Single Court Naming Rights*: Secure naming rights for a single court.

  • 7 OF 10 COURTS ALREADY RESERVED, ACT NOW TO SECURE NAMING RIGHT FOR ONE OF THE FEW REMAINING COURTS!

• $2,500 - Picnic Table Naming Rights*: Secure naming rights for a picnic table.

• $1,000 - Lifetime Founder Membership: Receive a lifetime membership to LAPA for you and your spouse.

Limited quantities are available for naming rights opportunities.

Proposed Court Layout