June 20, 2021


PPPA – WEEKLY EMAIL BLAST


In this week's blast:


   BEAR CREEK REGIONAL PARK PICKLEBALL COURTS 

PPPA has a Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) with the EL Paso County Park & Rec. which has been in place from the beginning of the process to develop the facility at Bear Creek Park. We will manage the facility in conjunction with the County in the same manner that we have at Monument Valley Park with Colorado Springs Park & Rec. We have the authority to run programs at the facility and will be establishing what those will be very soon. Being that this is a new facility there will be some growing pains but if everyone is considerate of one another, we can make this a place that everyone can enjoy.

Open play at the Bear Creek Facility will "start" at sunrise and go until 12 noon. Play will end at sunset. The facility will not have lights, but we have taken the initiative and included the conduits for lights. Once the funds become available the lights can be install at a reasonable price. We will be working with the County to make that happen. 

The paddle up system will be different. It may take some time for everyone to become accustomed to how it works, but with patience, kindness and a good attitude it should benefit everyone. As you well know, any system will work, if everyone helps to make it work.  Please be mindful that not "everyone" will know what is ground truth. If you have questions, please seek a valid source for information. We will do our best to keep everyone informed of what's happening as we stand up this new facility.

Take pride in our new courts. Do your best to assist in keeping it clean. There will be trash cans placed around the facility, please utilize them.

There will be signs placed at the courts and in the Kiosk with information about what is and is not allowed on the courts:
  • You may not place chairs of any kind on the court surface.
  • No shovels of any kind can be used on the courts. Damage caused by shoveling will result in the contractor voiding the warranty of the courts.
  • The courts will be locked when there is snow in an attempt to prevent possible damage. The County does not want the warranty on the courts to be voided and will take measures to protect them.
I know that this won't sit well with some, but hopefully everyone will understand why this is required.

Any instructors wishing to teach for pay on the courts will have to obtain the necessary permits through the County and have the proper insurance in place.

I know this sounds like a lot, but our goal here is to prevent misunderstanding and keep our members informed. We are trying to build a site that will enhance our Pickleball environment for years to come. As with the Monument Valley Courts, this is a "public" facility and must be considered as such.  We will be providing updates as things develop. 

 

PPPA Board of Directors



   2021 PIKES PEAK OR BUST PICKLEBALL TOURNAMENT

To be held this August at Bear Creek Regional Park, Colorado Springs, CO.  Registration opens 21 June!

See all the details at www.r2sports.com/website/register.asp?TID=37755 and see the event flyer.


Please Click the Balloon!



  OPEN PLAY IS BACK! PLEASE READ THE OPEN PLAY AND PADDLE UP DESCRIPTIONS BELOW

After consulting with PRCS on current health guidelines, we are resuming Open Play at Monument Valley Park.  Below are descriptions of both Open Play and Paddle Up systems so please read both.  If you have any questions, please submit them to info@pikespeakpickleball.com.

OPEN PLAY AT MONUMENT VALLEY PARK

  • Open play, sometimes called a “Challenge System” is ONLY in effect from 8:00 – noon every day.
  • Open play gives players that do not come to the courts with a foursome, the opportunity to play in with players already on the court.
  • 1, 2 or 3 players wait at a court that has players of like ability already playing. When that game ends, the players waiting can play with whatever number of current players are required to make a foursome.  The current players may stipulate that it is only for one game, whomever wins stays on the court, etc.
  • Please welcome the waiting players onto your court during Open Play hours. If you are in a foursome and do not want to split up, you can play after 12 noon. After Open Play hours, foursomes may stay together and not have others play in. This is helpful when people are practicing for tournaments.
  • Before a player(s) decides on the court they want to play into, OBSERVE THE SKILL LEVEL OF THE PLAYERS ON THE COURT TO SEE IF IT MATCHES YOUR SKILL LEVEL.  If it does not match, please keep looking or find enough players to make your own foursome.
  • After 12 noon, players that come to the courts that do not have a foursome may request to play in but there is no guarantee. You need to talk with the players on the court and request to play in.

PADDLE UP SYSTEM

  • The Paddle Up system is used whenever all courts are in use and players are waiting.  This can occur during Open Play hours and any other time that the courts are open.
  • When all courts are in use, players should put their paddles in the trough on the west side fence - 4 paddles for playing doubles, 2 for singles.  
  • Players on the courts play one game to 11, win by 2, then give up their court to the first group waiting (first 4 paddles in the trough).
  • When the paddle up system is in effect, the only activity on the courts is playing doubles or singles games.  No lessons or drilling are allowed, except for permitted instructors on the Instructor Court.  If someone is drilling, be courteous and ask if they are aware that the Paddle Up system is in effect.  If they were not, give them the option of playing a game and then relinquishing the court.

SUMMARY

  • Open Play is only from 8:00-noon every day.  Players should be welcomed to play into a current foursome during those hours.  After 12 noon, a foursome may stay together so players need to ask if they can play in.
  • The Paddle Up system may go into effect any time the courts are open for use.  Only doubles or singles games may be played during that time. 

PPPA Board of Directors



        PPPA STORE IS OPEN!

      Looking for gifts for yourself or pickleball loving family members or friends? Look no further! We have restocked our shelves and PPPA logo merchandise is now on sale with most sizes and colors of tee shirts, pullovers, hats and visors currently available in limited supplies online at https://pikespeakpickleball.com. Simply go to the website, click on the “Store” link, and follow the prompts to search for available colors, sizes, and styles. Payment can be made through PayPal or with your own credit card. Your purchase will be mailed to you for an additional charge or you may choose to pick up your item(s). Pick up instructions will appear on your confirmation if you choose this option. Supplies are limited so log on and shop today! 

      Roslyn Block, Membership Director


        PICKLEBALL CENTRAL'S REWARDS PROGRAM

      Save 5% and 5% comes back to PPPA in an annual Pickleball Central gift card!

      Interested in saving 5% on pickleball gear, clothing and training aids?  PPPA is now enrolled in Pickleball Central’s Club Rewards program.  Here are the details for you and PPPA to benefit from:

      When purchasing any items from www.PickleballCentral.com, enter CRPikes and you will receive an automatic 5% DISCOUNT and PPPA will earn 5% of every purchase that uses the code in an end-of-the-year gift card to purchase anything that PPPA needs – balls, extra paddles, nets, whatever we need!    (The code is not case sensitive.)

      Here's more about the ClubRewards program.


       KING SOOPERS COMMUNITY REWARD PROGRAM BENEFITS PPPA 

      Did you know that you can earn $$$ for PPPA with every dollar you spend when you shop at King Soopers or City Market? Friends and Family can help PPPA earn money too!

      See this flyer for information and how you can sign up.


        BUY ON AMAZONSMILE TO BENEFIT PPPA

      Do you shop online on Amazon.com? Do your friends and family shop online on Amazon.com? Switch to AmazonSmile and PPPA will receive a small percent of every transaction! It adds up!


      (AmazonSmile is operated by Amazon as their way to give back to charitable organizations)

      PPPA is now enrolled in the AmazonSmile program. AmazonSmile is a website operated by Amazon with the same shopping features as on Amazon.com.

      Go to smile.amazon.com and select Pikes Peak Pickleball Association from the list as your designated charity. Once you select PPPA, 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchase will be donated to PPPA. Spread the word to family and friends for them to designate PPPA as their charitable organization on AmazonSmile too!

      In order for PPPA to receive funds from your purchases, you must always go through smile.amazon.com when preparing to shop online.

      © , "PPPA" is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Colorado Springs, CO
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