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What’s News in Pickleball
BY GARY CARMICHAEL
I
n November, a group of volunteer members and IPTPA-
certified instructors gathered at Pocahontas Park in
Vero Beach, Florida, for the purpose of introducing
pickleball to eight local physical education teachers.
In 2018, Pickleball University decided to take pickleball
into our local schools in Indian River County. Our club’s
Board of Directors, led by club president Mari Colacino,
identified a core group of players to form a “Schools/
Juniors” committee. Together they developed a plan to
raise money, purchase equipment and train volunteer club
members to assist the professional instructors.
Club members reached out to friends involved in our local
schools to identify PE programs interested in pickleball. A
group of PE teachers came to our courts on a hot November
afternoon and had a great time learning what pickleball is
all about, and they expressed a sincere desire to teach this
great sport to their students.
In 2019, our committee hopes to expand our youth
programs in the district and beyond. The $1,100 raised was
used to purchase 24 paddles, four portable nets, dozens of
balls and a portable
storage box to be
circulated and used by
our schools in Indian
River County. Our
club’s mission is to
grow and strengthen
our partnership with
the school district
and, together, pass
our love of this
great sport on
to the students.
Our vision is to
have every child learn to
play pickleball—it’s a sport that can be played for a
lifetime!
Kino Sports Complex
in Tucson Adding New
Pickleball Courts
Pickleball University
School Programs
A rendering of the entire expansion. The right-hand side is the
current construction of the soccer fields and pickleball courts.
O
ne of Tucson’s finest sports facilities is expanding
and will include 20 lighted pickleball courts with
additional amenities including spectator seating,
shaded viewing areas, public address system,
concessions, main and auxiliary gates and locker rooms.
Currently, the Kino Sports Complex, on the city’s south
side, is a 155-acre complex. The new addition, which will
also include facilities for 12 natural grass and sand-based
multi-use fields, will be on 145 acres.
In early December, the Pima County Board of
Supervisors approved a nearly $10 million funding
increase for the expansion. Construction for the first
phase of development has already begun, with anticipated
completion by December of 2019 and a grand opening of
the pickleball courts in early 2020. Kino Sports Complex is
currently accepting reservations to host tournaments and
leagues beginning in February 2020.
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