Come and watch some fantastic pickleball action, June 22 and 23 starting at 8:15am at Oliver Woods Community Centre. Cheer on all the participants in this competitive tournament. For more information on tournament schedule, click on 2019 Nanaimo Indoor Pickleball Tournament under the Tournament tab.
The yearly search for members to step up to join our Executive and help lead our club for the coming year is underway. We will need about 4 new people to offer their time and talents for the coming year. Dave E. will be stepping down after 2 years as Vice President followed by 3 years as President but will still be on the Executive for one more year as Past President. Obviously, this is a crucial position with our club, but one that offers you a chance to lead a great group of fellow Executive members plus our club members and help to shape the future of the Nanaimo Pickleball Club and pickleball in Nanaimo for the future. As Past President, Dave will be available to guide you along the way using the experience he have gained, as much or as little as you wish. Please give this some serious thought and get back to him personally if you’d like to discuss it further. Much like the TD position, we REALLY need a President and 3 others to join the Executive. It’s only through volunteering that our club exists, operates and thrives!
Some of our members recently competed in the Kimberly/Cranbrook 2018 55+ Games and were very successful!
2018 Duncan Dazzle Fun Tournament
Thanks to Ron and Dee for another successful tournament.
Saturday, August 4th, 2018 at Oliver Woods Community Centre
Thanks to Ronnie and Dee for another successful Tournament!
Congratulations to Clive Jones from our club who won Men’s 3.5 80+ age group singles Gold Medal at the USAPA Nationals in Casa Grande Arizona! He also competed in Men’s and Mixed Doubles. Inga Makepeace, also from our club, competed in 3 events there and did very well in all three!! Congrats to Clive & Inga and all the other Vancouver Island players competing at this high level pickleball competition.
Pickleball players will now be serving at Beaufort Park thanks to work by Nanaimo Pickleball Club and City of Nanaimo Parks and Recreation.
The club and city hosted a grand opening event Saturday, which saw six courts officially unveiled to players. It was the culmination of a number of years of work by the two groups.
Dave Eaton, Nanaimo Pickleball Club president, said pickleball is increasing in popularity. Plans started three years ago when he began meeting with Richard Harding, city director of parks and rec, and Al Britton, city manager of parks operations.
“We worked out a plan to convert one of the tennis courts at Beban Park into two pickleball courts,” said Eaton. “That went very well and two years ago last May we opened those courts and it was just a huge success. The problem was there was only two courts and a lot of players wanting to play.”
Beaufort Park was decided on as a site for more courts to help alleviate the glut of players.
Coun. Bill Bestwick, parks, recreation and wellness committee chairman, said if there is demand, more pickleball courts could be added.
“I’m certain if the popularity of this venue here proves to be as successful as we think it will, I have no doubt that there will be a third request for another facility and time will tell, but certainly by all the activity that’s going on here … and at the one at Beban Park, I won’t be surprised to see another one in the near future,” said Bestwick.
Dwight Lobson, a pickleball player, was impressed with the new courts.
“It’s awesome,” said Lobson. “It’s a very good court. Nice and even. Lots of people coming out. Last week or so, it’s been just packed like this every morning.”
Karl Yu, reporter, Nanaimo News Bulletin
Check out the 6 new outdoor pickleball courts at Beaufort Park. Thanks to City of Nanaimo Parks and Rec and the efforts of our Club President, Dave Eaton, for making this happen. To find where the courts are go to the ‘Places to Play’ tab.