Tennis and pickleball players celebrate at Yakima
the club has six pickleball courts set up using two tennis
courts. The pickleball program uses “off-peak” hours,
to minimize conflicts of court demand and potential
complaints from tennis players. The program was started
in 2016 and, so far, everything is going smoothly. The club
offers a pickleball membership and currently has around
30 members. A big factor in the popularity of pickleball at
the club is that Tyson has embraced it so whole‑heartedly
himself. He expects membership to increase dramatically
this coming year, with options including adult single,
couples, and family.
Vancouver Tennis Center in Vancouver, Washington
At the Vancouver Tennis Center, Travis Rood and
the local pickleball community spearheaded a project
to put eight pickleball courts (lines) on four outdoor
tennis courts. Through several months of discussion, the
founding members of the center saw the value of adding
the courts and a green light was given. However, at the
last minute, four of the planned courts were cancelled to
allow “10 and under” tennis lines to be put down instead.
Despite the setback, the center did get four pickleball
courts painted at the end of the summer of 2016. Shortly
after the grand opening, though, the notoriously wet
weather of the Pacific Northwest took hold and a wait for
drier days was needed before starting a program at the
center.
Travis hopes to eventually have both an indoor and
outdoor program that would allow for social play, lessons,
leagues and possibly tournaments. With enough support
and diligence, perhaps the center will allow a move
indoors.
Looking at these stories, what is the recipe for a
successful integration? Here are a few key ingredients:
1) Have the tennis pros actually play. If they’re on
board, it will be easier to convince a board.
2) Have a plan prepared for what kind of program you
want. Try to ease any tension with tennis players
by avoiding “peak hours,” at least while it is being
introduced.
3) Offer “pickleball-only” memberships to entice new
members.
4) “Slow and steady wins the race.” Just like in
pickleball, patience is a virtue — don’t give up!
No matter what the particular situation at your location,
pickleball will never be included if the possibility is never
brought up. Just remember that requests for cordial
dialogue are usually met with less resistance than demands
for immediate action! •
MARCH/APRIL 2017 |
MAGAZINE
47