By Kathy Chouteau
The pickleball club at the Craneway Pavilion is indefinitely closed as the East Bay Pickleball Association reports it is seeking legal action in a dispute with its landlord.
A post on the East Bay Pickleball Association’s Facebook group over the weekend did not reveal details about the legal dispute. The City of Richmond owns the Craneway and leases it to Orton Development. Lina Velasco, the Richmond community development manager, told the San Jose Mercury News the city isn’t involved in the dispute.
The pickleball courts’ opening in early 2024 came with controversy, with some residents arguing the Craneway Pavilion should remain a center for community events such as Third of July celebrations and the Rosie Rally. Orton Development is mandated under the California State Lands Commission to ensure public access to the historic site.
This Saturday, the Rosie Rally event will be held in the parking lot of the Rosie the Riveter Visitor’s Center nearby — likely while the Craneway remains unused.
