Marshdale waiting game continues
As you can tell by the continued existence of our bench fundraiser guessing game, there is no opening date for the courts at Marshdale Park yet, estimated or otherwise. The fallout continues.
The annual EPC Women’s Doubles Tournament, originally scheduled for Aug. 14, has been moved to Wednesday, Sept. 4, in hopes the courts will be open by then.
Friday night pickleball and potluck gatherings are still MIA, but there will be another chance for pickleballers to mingle at Genesee Pub & BBQ Friday, July 19.
A tournament fundraiser planned by local organization Resilience 1220 for July 27 at Marshdale was canceled July 5 after the group learned the courts would not be open in time.
As EPC President Bob Kerr says in his message below, local pickleball goes on and your club is working hard on your behalf.
The Marshdale courts await fencing, acrylic finish and painting.
From the President
This has been a tough summer for EPC as far as courts and tournaments go. The loss of Marshdale and the ever-changing schedule to revamp the courts has made the summer pickleball season challenging, to say the least.
We’ve had to cancel the Dinkeroo as it would seem not many wanted to play it indoors and down the hill. We managed to get in the Round Robin at Mount Vernon and it was a hit. We are now faced with the remainder of our tournament schedule and are forced to bump the dates on those due to the uncertainty of completion of the courts at Marshdale.
We added three temporary courts at Marshdale Elementary and greatly improved the three courts at Evergreen Middle School. Even though we have put those Band-Aids on our court wounds, the ability of EPC to continue the level of service to our members that we have in the past has been greatly hampered. Hopefully we will get some excellent playing time on our fresh courts late this summer and early fall.
We are currently working on a plan with EPRD to add three dedicated pickleball courts and two to three multiuse outdoor courts at Buchanan Park. With a little luck and some money we hope those will commence construction in the spring.
That segues into a request for all subscribers to our newsletter and those that play on our courts regularly that aren’t currently members to please join EPC. It’s cheap fun and partially supports our programs. We also are starting a campaign to raise money for building additional courts in cooperation with EPRD.
We have in place a foundation, Active4All, through and in conjunction with EPRD for the purpose of accepting donations for capital improvements, most specifically new pickleball facilities. And, we hope to have our 501c3 status in place soon, allowing all contributions to be tax-deductible.
Despite our challenges this summer we did increase membership by a few and hope we will continue to add members and expand our facilities. We have a great pickleball community and each and every member is a valued asset. We’re all in it for the fun and our love of the game.
Our continued and strong partnership with EPRD is essential to the growth of the sport locally. We rally time and time again with our volunteer participation in court improvements alongside EPRD, now let’s raise some money and build a more vibrant pickleball community here in the mountains.
Marshdale Elementary School temporary pickleball courts
Buchanan Park courts, donations
As Bob mentioned above, EPC is working with EPRD to bring pickleball courts to Buchanan Park just south of Bergen Park. Outdoor courts, some potentially dedicated to pickleball only, are currently envisioned for a site right next to the existing community garden.
EPC has hopes to raise $150,000 in a major effort to secure at least three dedicated pickleball courts at Buchanan. Other community groups such as one backing a skateboard park at the site are also fundraising and advocating for their interests.
At its July 10 meeting, the EPC board voted to amend its bylaws to make them more amenable to 501c3 status, which would allow donations to the club to be tax-deductible. EPC member Julie Ann Courim lent her expertise to the amendments, which are based on those of other Colorado pickleball clubs that have successfully sought 501c3 status.
In the meantime, anyone can donate to our club’s effort to secure more courts by contributing to Active4All, where funds can be designated for Evergreen Pickleball Club in the “Write a note” field.
The Buchanan Park plan shows sports courts as a small pink rectangle at mid-right.
Kathy Kincannon elected to EPC board
Renowned for providing superb refreshments at tournaments and happy hours, Kathy Kincannon has joined the board to replace David Huerta, who resigned.
Kathy will serve as EPC social director, replacing Cherie Peterson, who has moved into the secretary position. “So many plans for the next couple of months,” Kathy said about the EPC social calendar.
Kathy retired last year from Southwest Airlines. She was a flight attendant 41 years and worked for her family’s business as an event planner for 10 years. “I’m enjoying being retired, but also working at the Sisters and Company boutique in downtown Evergreen,” she said.
Pickleball Happy Hour at Genesee Pub & BBQ
Pickleballers one and all are invited to meet the like-minded on the patio at Genesee Pub & BBQ Friday, July 19, starting at 4 p.m. “Lisa, the manager, is excited to have us come a second time,” Kathy said. “We had a really good turnout last time.”
Yellow Dog Blues Band will play at about 5:30 p.m.
Got an idea?
Feel free to send in your suggestions, hot tips, cooling tips, court gossip or pickleball-related photos, such as work restarting at Marshdale: Debbie Marshall, marshallpublish@gmail.com.