Pickleball Enthusiasts,
This Saturday, April 8th, you will have the opportunity to shape, support and grow picklelball in Chapel Hill in a very important way. From 10am to 4pm this Saturday Chapel Hill town officials are holding an open hearing (a charrette) to solicit feedback and suggestions from area residents regarding the new Parks and Recreation facility to be built in 2020 at Legion Road. This meeting will be held in the American Legion Hut at 1714 Legion Road in Chapel Hill. From the Ephesus courts it’s less than a five minute walk.
Attached you will find the proposal we are submitting to the town for a greatly expanded, state-of-the-art pickleball facility for 2020. To prepare for future growth of pickleball in Chapel Hill and to enable future major tournaments we are proposing twenty-four dedicated courts. These courts would be arranged in pods of four to six courts bisected by walkways and surrounding one or more social areas. Also attached is a photo of the Saint George, Utah public courts, similar to that which we’re hoping to build here in Chapel Hill.
Your input is critical for the success of this proposal. As a group we must demonstrate our support and enthusiasm for the game and its growth by presenting a strong, unified presence at the charrette on April 8th. Ideally, MANY of us will show up in groups paddle-in-hand at about the same time to advocate for this proposal.
Our suggestion is that all those who are playing in the Senior Games on this Saturday march over together with us right after the games to advocate en masse for this proposal. For those not playing this Saturday, please come on out early and watch the games. Or just join us at 11:30 at the Ephesus courts with your paddle and walk with us to the Legion Hut. We have already identified some who will speak for us. However, our very numbers will speak louder. Below are some talking points that can be used to make our case for the future of Chapel Hill Pickleball.
TALKING POINTS:
Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in the US.
Pickleball is FUN for all ages. Eight year olds can play with eighty year olds.
Pickleball is wonderful for staying active and fit.
*The game is social, FUN, competitive and recreational.
*Easy to learn; a challenge to master.
*GROWTH: In 2013 we had 8 active players, in 2015 165 players, in 2017 over 550 players and we project well over 1000 players in 2020.
*Talk about how the courts are already crowded one year after we expanded our capacity 500% with addition of Ephesus courts. (20 hrs a week indoor at CHCC and Hargraces vs 104 hrs now indoor plus Ephesus
*We have facilities to support ~250 active players with the Community Center, Hargraves and the recent addition of the six Ephesus Park Outdoor Courts.
*Speak of your personal, positive experiences with the game.
Hope to see you this Saturday no later than 11:30am when we begin our five minute march over to the Legion Hut to advocate for the future growth of Chapel Hill Pickleball. Join us with your paddle. It will be fun and you’ll be a part of making pickleball history.
Remember: this Saturday at Ephesus at 11:30am for a GROUP march to the Legion Hut for the future of pickleball in Chapel Hill. Join us.
Brad Hemminger
JB Marr
USAPA co-Ambassador
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