Let’s build a pickleball powerhouse
The newly live fundraising website
Construction on a 10,000 square-foot field house addition to Buchanan Recreation Center in Bergen Park is scheduled to start in May and wrap up by early winter this year. It will include at least two dedicated pickleball courts, with the option of adding two more if our club is successful in leading a fundraising drive that is kicking into high gear today.
The goal is to add $450,000 to the Evergreen Park and Recreation District’s $1.5 million budget for the multi-sport facility to ensure that it includes four dedicated pickleball courts, with a multipurpose area lined for four more pickleball courts.
“EPC has long advocated for an indoor facility in north Evergreen to alleviate congestion at Wulf Recreation Center, the only indoor facility in the area.” EPC President Bob Kerr said. “From the outset, it was clear that a multipurpose facility with dedicated pickleball courts would best serve the community.”
EPC’s Julie Ann Courim has designed a website, which is now live, devoted to the fundraising campaign and linked to the EPC website. Julie Ann also executed the club’s conversion to an officially recognized 501(c)(3) tax-exempt club with a dedicated capital improvement fund specifically for the EPRD Field House project.
“Our dream of a top-notch indoor pickleball facility is finally taking shape,” Julie Ann said. “Evergreen Pickleball Club, alongside EPRD, is breaking ground on a new field house at Buchanan Park. With your help, we can turn this into the ultimate pickleball haven for our 250-plus members and growing community of players.”
Besides the upgrade to four dedicated courts from two, we want the new facility to have player-friendly surfaces, fencing between courts, upgraded nets, better lighting, pickleball machines and a rollup wall system for fresh air.
Of course, you have questions. It wouldn’t be Evergreen pickleball if you didn’t have questions. Therefore, Bob K has called a meeting for members and non-members alike on Thursday, March 13, at 1 p.m. in the Birch Room at Wulf Recreation Center. “We’ll dive into the fundraising campaign, answer your questions, and provide handouts,” Bob said. Actually it was Julie Ann, but Bob could have and would have said it.
Here’s why the new, upgraded facility will be a game changer::
No more waiting for court time or shelling out $2,000-$3,000 annually for memberships at places like 3rd Shot, Epic or Hiwan Golf Club (with its weather-limited courts). “Your tax-deductible donation to EPC is a smarter play—investing in a local hub that keeps us swinging paddles no matter the season,” Julie Ann said. “Plus, every dollar stays secure in our capital fund until groundbreaking, with full refunds if the project doesn’t proceed as planned.
“We’re calling on YOU—our pickleball faithful—to rally behind this project and we need everyone’s voice to amplify our efforts. Please reach out to your friends, family, and business connections to share this exciting opportunity and encourage their support. Share this news with your networks and help us raise the funds to make it happen.” Here’s how you can get involved:
Major Sponsors: Secure naming rights for the building ($300,000) or a court ($100,000) and see your name or logo on the facility, marketing materials and websites.
Donor Recognition: Contributions from $10,000 (Bronze) to $50,000 (Diamond) earn a spot on our donor plaques.
Every Dollar Counts: Whether it’s a one-time gift or monthly pledge, your donation brings us closer to the finish line.
All funds are securely held in EPC’s dedicated tax-exempt capital improvement account and will only be transferred to EPRD upon groundbreaking. If the project doesn’t move forward as planned, every penny will be refunded.
Ready to make your mark? Donate online at www.EvergreenPickleball.club or mail your contribution to Evergreen Pickleball Club, P.O. Box 231, Evergreen, CO 80439.
Please consider renewing or starting your EPC membership now. Still only $20 a year, strong membership numbers help us maintain our voice in the community.
