October 13, 2022
What does Pickleball El Paso do for this city? Without the club, the following two stories would not be happening. Thank you to our hard-working board and our members.
El Paso's First Dedicated Pickleball Courts Are Here!
I first approached the City, and then Parks and Recreation management in November, 2021, about pickleball facilities for El Paso. Both listened and were interested. It wasn't until our members turned out in numbers at the spring, 2022 bond meetings that we started gaining traction.
Map of Ascarate (all streets 1-way; from entrance traffic circle take Tom Lea Loop around, back to near entrance)
But for Veronica Myers (left) at County Parks and Recreation it was different. When I presented to her in January, she said, "We want this!"
"We had been wanting to build a pickleball facility for some time, and Pickleball El Paso came along at just the right time." (Myers)
The courts are NOT yet ready for play. There are issues the contractor needs to resolve before final payment can be made and they can open to the public. We will spread the word when the courts will open, and a dedication ceremony is in the planning stages - lets have a BIG turnout!
Second Facility Story: Grandview Park Recreation Center
Our very busy Vice President and Instructor Extraordinaire, Ben Avalos, also sits on the Parks and Recreation Board. He reports that a new recreation center is being built at this park, at 3100 Jefferson. Expected to open in 2023, Ben has put in a request that the gym floors be lined for three pickleball courts rather than two, as is the pattern at Chamizal and other new gyms. Way to go Ben!
T-shirt Time!
We are now accepting pre-paid orders for club t-shirts. We only sell
shirts twice per year. Show that El Paso PB pride! New this time around is a Dri-Fit V-neck in WOMEN's only, in Bimini blue (right).
We also have the original Soft Cotton Crew neck in sapphire (below). Shirts are $20 each.
Our site is simple, so after you select your style and size, it will say you ordered a "t-shirt". Take a snap shot of your order screen BEFORE you go to payment, if you want a record of the style and size. If you have any questions ask a board member or send an email to pickleballEP@gmail.com.
We will accept pre-orders until Monday, October 24. Then we will place the order, and it will take the shop about two weeks to make them, after which we will hand-deliver them.
Deliveries to the El Paso area only!
(original cotton crew neck)
Welcome to our October New Members:
Curt Barnett
Ed Chambless
Jutta Ramirez
Dennis Tramontana
Barbie Jo Hatch
Keith Derry
Anita Tennie
Larry Sears
Eric Kapenga
PEPA's First Scramble
As of this writing there are a total of 6 spots left between the two sessions. Sign up - don't miss it! https://www.pickleballelpaso.com/
PLEASE PARK on Caprock street or at the Family Medical building on the Shadow Mt side of the complex (closed on Saturdays).
If you registered, PLEASE show up OR email pickleballEP@gmail.com to let us know you need a sub as the point system for the scramble requires that there be 16 players in each session. You will be playing continuously for about 1 1/2 hours (4 rounds).
You will receive a reminder email three days before the November 5 event, so WATCH your email. You do NOT have to bring a copy of the ticket with you - we have a list of those who registered. This event benefits PEPA and Do As We Do, a non-profit that supports family caregivers.
Play on,
Jamie Fisher
President, Pickleball El Paso Association