Interview with EPRD Board Candidate Al Buenning
Al Buenning, immediate past president of Evergreen Pickleball Club, is running for one of three seats on the EPRD Board of Directors. Al was one of the first people in Evergreen to pick up pickleball back in 2011. He was among “the group of five” who founded what was to become EPC.
We had the opportunity to sit down with Al and ask a few questions about his candidacy and pickleball in Evergreen.
EPC: Let's start with why? Why are you running for EPRD Board of Directors. What purpose do you hope to serve?
Al: I believe in the power of play and how it enhances and enriches the mind, body and spirit of Evergreen residents: more play for more people in our mountain community. Increased play programs and activities will reach people from all portions of the EPRD service area: youth, working adults, families, seniors, people with special needs - in other words, all different segments. Improved mental and physical health, new human connections, strengthened family relations, overall improvement in the quality of life are only some of the benefits of improved and expanded play for everybody. This is what I hope to do by serving on the Board of Directors.
EPC: By the time the new board takes office with three new members, EPRD will have a new executive director in Cory Vander Veen, formerly of Aspen Park & Rec. To us that seems an opportunity to start fresh with the EPRD Board. What do you recommend the pickleball community in general and the Evergreen Pickleball Club specifically do to make the most from our relationship with EPRD?
Al: EPC needs to take the lead in formulating a new relation with Cory and the new board members. This means that formal face-to-face meetings need to be held on an ongoing basis, not just a one-time session. Present the case that pickleball is one of EPRD's strongest programs and only getting better and growing. The numbers prove this statement. Attend board meetings and ask to be on the agenda with updated information. Involve Cory and the new board members in pickleball social activities; introduce them and involve them in every opportunity. Building strong positive relations with both parties just does't happen by chance - it is accomplished by design and the EPC board needs to lay out the strategy and execute the plan.
EPC: We know from our player research that the biggest pickleball need is more indoor courts. Short of floating a bond issue for voter approval, which couldn't happen before May 2023, how do we get a facility that can accommodate courts in the winter?
Al: The biggest capital project is a field house at the Buchanan Rec Center. A survey of the community is not needed - it would only delay the project and the need has been established some time ago. Lack of adequate indoor pickleball has been a pressing issue for years and will only get worse as the sport continues to grow. Funding the project needs to be accomplished via alternative methods such a lease-back agreement, leveraging current assets and other methods of capitalizing a field house. Time is critical. A field house would include an indoor soccer and lacrosse field, baseball/softball field, jogging track, basketball, volleyball, pickleball courts and more. Financing this building can be done without always taxing local property owners. Operationally, such a facility should be revenue neutral.
EPC: If you're elected to the board, there will be three board members who are pickleball players, comprising a majority. Dreaming big, what would you like to see happen for pickleball in Evergreen?
Al: As a new board member I would be very careful to balance my efforts and energy to benefit the most people in Evergreen. This includes folks who hike, skate on the lake, play all kinds of sports, utilize our parks frequently, own dogs, may have special needs plus many other recreational interests. As for the pickleball community, the future is very clear as to exactly what EPRD needs to accomplish. Build a field house on the north side and secondly reconstitute the Marshdale courts. These courts need to be totally redone with a dividing fence between courts, a new surface, and increase the courts to eight in total - even one/two courts with bleachers. My vision would be that the new construction would be a first class outdoor facility which could host regional events and provide for the future growth of the sport in the Evergreen/Conifier communities.
For more info on Al and his qualifications visit www.AlBuenning.com. Election is Tuesday, May 3, 7 am - 7 pm, in-person only (or absentee ballot if you’ve already requested one) at Buchanan and Wulf Rec Centers.