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 link: https://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

 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.

• 
  
• 
  

 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.