February 5, 2023


PPPA – WEEKLY EMAIL BLAST


In this week's blast:





      NORM SILVER

    It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Norm Silver, one of PPPA’S longest standing members. A heart of gold stopped beating, working hands at rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us that he only takes the best. Leaves and flowers may wither, the golden sun may set, but the hearts that loved you dearly are the ones that won’t forget. 0-0-2 Norm!



      USAP SPORTSMANSHIP GUIDE

    A year and a half ago a team consisting largely of Ambassadors put together a Sportsmanship Guide to encourage respect, fair play, and graciousness among pickleball players.

    This guide has a new home on the USAP website. You can find it at: www.usapickleball.org - Tournaments - Resources - Referees & Line Judges - Reference Materials. 

    You can also find it by searching “Sportsmanship Guide” on usapickleball.org. 

    And here is a direct linkhttps://usapickleball.org/what-is-pickleball/sportsmanship-guide/





      PPPA MEMBERSHIP DUES INCREASE AND THE REASONS WHY

    A PPPA individual membership has been $20/year for the last 13 years (ever since PPPA was formed in 2012) and the Board recently voted to increase the amount to better support key programs and growth of pickleball in El Paso County and to be more comparable to other pickleball organizations around the country.  Membership dues help pay for the costs that benefit all pickleball players: 

    • court rental at Wasson Academy for free Beginner Lessons 
    • software for the website, SignUp Genius, and PayPal 
    • court improvements such as the paddle-up system and fence top safety guards 
    • membership events like Dips and Dinks Ice Cream Social and Fall Y'all Social 
    • tournament expenses like storage space for PPPA equipment 
    • insurance for players and volunteers in all PPPA education and training programs  

    AND VERY IMPORTANTLY, it is an exciting time for PPPA to be involved in the design and building of additional pickleball venues in our local area—like we’ve done in the past at Monument Valley Park, John Venezia Community Park and Bear Creek Regional Park.   Over the next few years, PPPA will again help co-fund new pickleball capabilities with the Association's money, working closely with COS Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services as well as El Paso County Parks on the following initiatives: 

    • Bear Creek Regional Park: fixed sunshade structure on west end of the existing 12 courts and 6 additional dedicated pickleball and 2 dual-striped tennis courts (2023-24)  
    • Coleman Community Park:  18-20 dedicated pickleball courts at this new facility (2025) 
    • John Venezia Regional Park:  converting the oversized tennis court as planned growth to 4 more pickleball courts (ongoing)    

    Effective Feb 1, 2023, the PPPA membership dues structure will be: 

    • $30/year for an individual membership 
    • $50/year for a family membership 
    • $75/year for a three-year individual membership 
    • $300 for a lifetime membership – No Change 

    Thank you for your membership that help make the Colorado Springs area a great place to learn and play pickleball. 

    PPPA Board of Directors



      

    COLEMAN PARK COMMUNITY FORUM #3

    On Tuesday, January 31, several PPPA Board Members attended the third and final Community Forum concerning Coleman Community Park and would like to report to the PPPA membership what was discussed. A new park design was presented that incorporated aspects of all three previous designs and also considered community feedback that Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services (COS PR&CS) has received. The design is not available on the COS PR&CS website yet but attached is a picture of the concept board from the meeting. This new design puts the baseball fields, soccer field, pickleball courts and the majority of parking on the east side of the park.  The west side of the park contains the creek access, community lawn, playgrounds, etc. 

    In this latest design, the 18-20 lighted pickleball courts are located by Martin "Ed" Ragain Field bordering Barnes Road. The good news is that the design has 50-60 parking spots adjacent to the courts and even more parking available at the UCHealth Vibes Stadium close by.  There is electricity and plumbing in this location that allows for a restroom facility to be built near the courts. However, the PPPA Board has two concerns:  the land is not level and could require soil mitigation and the pickleball courts will be terraced into the hillside requiring earthwork, both of which could increase costs and thus jeopardize the actual number of courts built.    

    The next step is for COS PR&CS to refine the venue design while considering costs and fundraising over the next two years. This latest design could change. Construction is planned to begin in 2025-2026 at the earliest. Members of the PPPA Board will continue to provide input on the pickleball area to COS PR&CS.  As the final plan for Coleman Community Park evolves, the PPPA Board will keep the membership informed.

    To view the materials presented at the meeting including pictures of the envisioned layout click on this direct link 2023-01-31_cp-public_mtg_3_board_coleman_park.pdf (coloradosprings.gov) or on this icon:     

    Thank you to all our members who attended this meeting.

    PPPA Board of Directors



    • or use the direct link https://roberta-loughman.remax.com/my-info/pickleball



    •   FEBRUARY EVENTS AT SPRINGS PICKLEBALL

      We have LOTS of great events planned for you at Springs Pickleball this month!

      LOVE is in the air at Springs Pickleball . . . PICKLEBALLLOVE!

      Saturday, February 11th from 6-9 PM

      Join us for a DATE NIGHT - Couples Round Robin

      Levels 3.0 - 4.0 - Intermediate to Advanced

      Cost: $25 for Members and $30 for Non Members

      Pizza & Dessert in the Patio and One FREE Drink Ticket Provided

      Click the link below to sign up:

      https://app.courtreserve.com/Online/Public/EmbedCode/8778/24010/332812?orgLayout=true  

      Forget the Super Bowl - It's ALWAYS PICKLEBALL SEASON at Springs Pickleball!

      Join us Sunday, February 12th for TWO GREAT EVENTS:

      #1 - PICKLEBOWL for Beginners (2.5-3.0) from 3-6 PM

      Cost: $25 for Members and $30 for Non Members

      Super Bowl Snacks & Dessert in the Patio and One FREE Drink Ticket Provided

      Click the Link below to Sign Up for the 2.5 - 3.0 Round Robin from 3-6 PM:

      https://app.courtreserve.com/Online/Public/EmbedCode/8778/24010/331826?orgLayout=true

      #2 PICKLEBOWL for Intermediate and Advanced Players (3.5-4.0) from 6-9 PM

      Cost: $25 for Members and $30 for Non Members

      Super Bowl Snacks & Dessert in the Patio and One FREE Drink Ticket Provided

      Click the Link below to Sign Up for the 3.5 - 4.0 Round Robin from 6-9 PM:

      https://app.courtreserve.com/Online/Public/EmbedCode/8778/24010/333105?orgLayout=true 

      DATE NIGHT AT SPRINGS PICKLEBALL

      Friday, February 24th from 6-9 PM

      We will be doing a Couples Round Robin for Intermediate and Advanced Players (3.0-4.0)

      Cost: $25 for Members and $30 for Non Members

      Pizza & Dessert in the Patio and One FREE Drink Ticket Provided

      Click the Link Below to Sign Up: 

      https://app.courtreserve.com/Online/Public/EmbedCode/8778/24010/333146?orgLayout=true

      SINGLES NIGHT - Ages 40 and UP

      Come Meet Other Single Pickleball Fanatics Just Like You!

      Saturday, February 25th from 6-9PM

      We will do a Mixed Doubles Round Robin where you will trade off Partners throughout the Night

      This event is for Intermediate to Advanced Players - Levels 3.0 - 4.0

      Cost: $25 for Members and $30 for Non Members

      Pizza & Dessert in the Patio and One FREE Drink Ticket Provided

      Click the Link Below to Sign Up:

      https://app.courtreserve.com/Online/Public/EmbedCode/8778/24010/331820?orgLayout=true

      MARCH MADNESS TOURNAMENT!!!

      It's that time again at Springs Pickleball

      Mark your Calendars for Saturday March 4th and Sunday March 5th

      More details will be provided soon. Registration will be opening soon!

      All Events are open for Members and Non Members to sign up. 

      (The tournament will be open for sign up's soon.)



     THE PPPA ONLINE 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 the PPPA Store (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!



    Erica Roberts, Merchandise Manager



     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 CRPPPA 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.



          BUY ON AMAZONSMILE TO BENEFIT THE 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.


       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.


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