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As we head into a busy summer season, our focus remains on providing a community-focused, top-tier playing environment for everyone. We have some important updates regarding facility upgrades, court closures, and use of Club funds. We also love to have fun and another PCCC picnic is planned. Read on for all the details!
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- Recap of April and May
- PCCC League News
- ICYMI: CTC Closure for Renovations
- Your Dues at Work
- The Power of Pickleball documentary
- Partnering with SV&E and PRAC for Facility Improvements
- 4th of July Picnic at Rockwood
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April & May Recap
It’s been a roller coaster these last two months. On the high side, we kicked off our Spring Leagues on April 1st with over 500 players and 14 leagues. As is usual this time of year, we’ve experienced several rainouts, but we’ve had great turnout and fun the rest of the time!
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We also hosted a 10-year anniversary / National Pickleball Month celebration on April 11th that offered open rotational play, snacks, pickleball instruction, and free paddle labeling (with emergency contact info) for all attendees. The daytime party was held at The Scott Pickleball Complex at Rockwood Park, the first dedicated pickleball courts in the State of Virginia. There’s quite a story behind the birth of pickleball in Chesterfield County, and we’ll do a deep dive into that in a future newsletter.
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On a low note, we lost our very dear friend and colleague, David King, after a long battle with cancer. Dave was one of a kind, and he truly gave back to the sport and this community far more than he received.
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In lieu of flowers, Dave’s family had requested that donations be directed to the PCCC, so the David King Fund was set up. We are so pleased to share with you that we received $1700 in contributions in honor of our sweet friend. We have ordered three benches plus memorial plaques to be placed at each location where Dave taught classes or ran leagues. In this way, we will always remember him in a tangible way.
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David’s wife Beth sends her love and appreciation to all players who worked with her husband and contributed to making his life very happy for many years. She is donating his paddles and pickleball balls to our Paddles for Schools project.
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PCCC League Report
We wrapped up the last of our Spring League play this past week just in time for the coming summer heat. It’s been another great experience with many players returning season after season. We also enjoyed a very enthusiastic Beginner’s League, introducing new players to the fastest growing sport in America. It’s fun to see them already becoming vocal ambassadors for the sport we all love.
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Massive thanks and appreciation to our wonderful League Commissioners, Debra Murphy and Maggie Wojtowicz-Bowen who managed 14 leagues and over 500 players! You can expect updates from them on the Fall Leagues in future newsletters.
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Additionally, we want to thank all the League Coordinators and their assistants for a job well done. These are all volunteer positions, so please show your appreciation for the time and effort they put in for the love of our sport.
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There would be no PCCC leagues without all of these special volunteers!
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ICYMI: CTC Closure for Renovations
In case you missed it (ICYMI), the courts at CTC are slated to be closed for approximately three weeks from June 1st through June 21st for repairs and upgrades, including:
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- New post extensions to upgrade the shade structure installed last year
- Repair and repainting of the court surface
FIRST PHASE - (June 1 - 2) - COMPLETE: Work that extended the shade support poles temporarily closed six courts.
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Between June 3-7, the courts will be open for play.
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SECOND PHASE (starts June 8): The entire CTC court complex will be closed for a full repair and repainting of the court surface, along with completing the updated shade structure. We expect this second stage to take two to three weeks depending on the weather. During this stage, NO activities are allowed on or near the courts. All nets will be removed, and it will be a closed construction site.
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We understand that it may be difficult to be patient during this time, but there are other places to play, which you can find via the calendar link at the bottom of this email. You may even find a new favorite and make some new friends!
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We will communicate via email and Facebook as soon as we are told that the work is complete and the courts are open for play.
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Your Dues at Work
PCCC is excited to help make these improvements happen through thoughtful distribution of our PCCC league fees and dues collected over the years. The total project is estimated to cost around $52,000. Thanks to our partnership with Chesterfield Parks and Rec, who negotiated the contract with Tennis Courts, Inc., we’re saving more than $20,000.
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We’ve also been given assurance that the new paint is an upgrade over the existing surface, and that the entire court--including the lines--will have a consistent grit finish for safer, more predictable play.
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This type of collaboration with the county is longstanding, and we are grateful that we were able to contribute to several projects over the years. It is one way that the club strives to serve its members and the greater pickleball community.
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The Power of Pickleball Documentary
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A new full-length pickleball documentary was recently released and it deserves a watch!
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You might remember a film crew coming out to Rockwood a few years ago to capture some footage. They’ve finally finished the project, and it's an interesting exploration of the history of our sport, highlighting its growth around the country. It's wonderful to see pickleball get this much attention.
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I had to laugh when I saw myself--and my messy hair--in a small clip. But what's far more interesting than me are the scenes from Rockwood Park that are in it. Our spunky little courts in Chesterfield County have made it to the big screen. Maybe there's a shot of YOU in the film, too!
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The documentary is available on the following platforms (and on some flights, too!):
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Partnering with SV&E and PRAC for Facility Improvements
We have been working closely with Sports, Visitation and Entertainment (SV&E) and the county Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission (PRAC) on several key items of interest to our members, such as maintenance and facility improvements, court care and use, etc.
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Reporting Facility Issues: To ensure quick repairs, please report any safety or maintenance issues directly to Mr. Matt Mullins of the SV&E. Matt is a dedicated point of contact who understands our community’s needs—he’s been playing for over a year and often enjoys the game with his friends and children. Contact him via email at Mullins@Chesterfield.gov.
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In the event of an urgent safety issue or if something occurs after hours, please call the emergency number for Parks & Rec: 804-748-1624. Most courts also have this information posted on yellow fliers near the gates.
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Court Reservations: Courts can be reserved under certain circumstances and for a fee. The point of contact is Shana Howlett, also of SV&E, who can provide the details. Her telephone number is 804-717-6158.
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Open Play: In conversations with the PRAC, we’ve emphasized that the "show up and play" model is the cornerstone of community pickleball and a national standard for successful programs. Our goal is to ensure that, as the sport grows, we here in Chesterfield continue to offer access to quality courts and ensure that the social spirit of Open Play remains intact. I have formally requested that the County prioritize and protect "Open Play" time slots.
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Future Projects: You might remember from the March newsletter that there are improvements planned for several court locations, including Cogbill, Horner, Stonebridge, and the Scott Center at Rockwood. All of these projects depend on the money available for such improvements, and the funding is reviewed and approved by our Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors. We will find out at the next PRAC meeting how the upcoming budget will shake out for Parks and Rec, and pickleball in particular.
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4th of July Picnic Celebration!
As you know, this year is the 250th birthday of our nation. Once again we will be holding a celebration picnic at The Scott Pickleball Center at Rockwood Park. Let's come together as friends and neighbors to play pickleball, enjoy good food, and have a whole lot of fun! We’ll send out additional details in the coming weeks.
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Mark your calendar today!
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*NEW* Quick Links
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Until next time, I look forward to seeing you on the courts!
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