September Newsletter

A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT

Hello, Port Townsend Picklers,
Ok, it can stop now. We have too many challenges already. I guess we haven’t been tested enough during these Covid days so we will add a bit of smothering smoke to everything just to top it off. Originally, we needed to stay outside and now we need to stay inside. What? I really shouldn’t be complaining since we live in a fairly Covid safe spot with no fires threatening our homes. Just hoping to see that blue sky over our courts again soon.
Good things are happening at the courts. We have a new Porta-Potty at the high school, and we are back to maximum court use at the high school and Mountain View. Don’t forget to remind your fellow players that the Porta-Potty is funded by all of us and it is more important than ever to join the club or renew your membership. Plus, we have a donate button on the home page of our website now. Please direct visitors who would like to support us to go to our website and donate to help us with all of our expenses.
Our board and committee members are working hard to keep us all out there playing as much pickleball as possible during Phase 2. Please let them know how much you appreciate them. Hopefully, we will all gather as a group again soon and we can celebrate getting through these challenging times.
In the meantime, one pickleball tip- “Let your opponents make the mistake.”
Be safe and stay healthy.
Mary Critchlow
President PTPC

Leigh Waters
Pickleball Pro & Gold medalist Leigh Waters is known for taking the Pickleball world by storm, with her 13-year-old daughter Anna Leigh playing right alongside her. These two players have been a popular attraction for many fans and bring lots of energy to the courts. Contacting Leigh, we asked if she would like to be featured in our monthly newsletter for "September" as a "Guest Appearance.” She was more than happy to take the time to answer a few interview questions. read more >>>

Given the governor’s recently revised guidelines regarding recreational sports, the Board requested and received permission to use all 4 courts at the High School and 3 courts at Mountain View.The social distancing requirements remain the same:
No more than 5 people per court.No mixing of players between different groups.No spectators at the sidelines (except for the 5th player).Please continue to use PlayTime Scheduler for court reservations.
The playing times remain offset by 30 minutes for adjacent courts to limit socialization between the groups. Mountain View and the High School will now use the same start times and continue with 2 hour sessions.
High School:Court #s 2&4: start at 9amCourt #s 1&3: start at 9:30am
Mountain View:Court #s 2&4: start at 9amCourt #3: start at 9:30am
Our increased access to courts is contingent on all of us continuing to observe Covid-19 phase 2 guidelines.Thank you for your cooperation and have fun playing!

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PURSUING THE EXPANSION OF PICKLEBALL VENUES

The Board is in ongoing communication with public and private entities for expanding pickleball venues in Port Townsend, developing both temporary and permanent outdoor and indoor facilities:

1. The County is planning to pay to resurface the tennis court at the courthouse and convert it into two dedicated pickleball courts in 2021. We had lobbied for four courts; however, given the parking issues, the County decided to limit it to only two courts.

2. At the end of this year the City expects to be able to discuss with us space options for future permanent outdoor and indoor pickleball facilities. Once we have settled on a specific location, we can then decide how to proceed with the design and fundraising.

3. We have forwarded information to Fort Worden for their review to see if any of their buildings might be suitable for temporary indoor use during the winter months. We also presented the idea of converting their tennis courts into permanent pickleball courts. They are reviewing our proposals.

4. It is not yet clear how much access we will have to the Y gym this winter for pickleball. The more children who attend school, the less busy the Y children’s program will be and the more access we players will be given. We should have a better idea by the end of September. The phase 2 guidelines will require us to limit each court to 5 players without mixing between the 2 courts.

Port Townsend High School will be starting to play pickleball during their P.E. classes. The P.E. teacher has asked for a donation of any used paddles and balls that our club members are willing to donate.
Please call or text Mary Critchlow if you have a paddle and/or balls to donate.
406 755-4027.
Thank you.

Planks are a good way to strengthen your core and entire body for pickleball. You can do them anywhere & anytime, all you need is yourself. Click on the link below .read more >>