Skyline, Vote for More PB Courts, PORC Closure ...

Skyline Dedication

Parks and Rec Assit Dir Emigdio Gonzalez, Deputy City Mgr Richard Bristol, Mayor Reynard Johnson, NE Rep Cynthia Boyar Trejo, PEPA President Jamie Fisher, PEPA member Terry Avalos, and PEPA VP Ben Avalos cut the ribbon

We had a healthy turnout for the Grand Opening of the Skyline Youth Optimist Pickleball Courts, at 5050 Yvette. Over 100 people came to the event on April 3. For the first time I saw sub-groups with their own t-shirts: the Eastside Pickleballers (a group of approximately 30 players from Marty Robbins) and a few men from the Drop Shot Social group were in attendance.

There is an issue with the net posts: they should have been set in concrete rather than bolted to asphalt, and as the tension on the net increases the posts are being pulled up. According to Pablo Caballero, Director of Parks and Recreation, the vendor will be here the week of April 21st to address the issue. In the meantime, the city is going to take the nets down so that players have the opportunity to bring their own nets.

Pickleball El Paso is looking into possibly donating windscreens for three sides of the courts leaving the fourth open for viewing, the same configuration as Eastwood High School, where the Sun Bowl tournament was held, and the El Paso Tennis Club and others.

There is no paddle rack at Skyline, but rather a "place your paddles at the net post" system. The Rules are posted.

Your Association is discussing a social play day in May. As always, we will keep you posted.

Pat O'Rourke Closure

Thank you Paco Venegas for sending this to us at PEPA. If you see a notice from a reliable source, please share on FB or send to pickleballep@gmail.com

Speak Up For Pickleball Facilities

PB Community! The City is holding Budget Workshops. The format is display stations where you can talk to representatives of many City departments and City Manager Dion Mack. You can respond to priority surveys and put sticky notes on a map of your district. It is a chance for everyone in our community to advocate for pickleball.

A few of the Eastside Pickleballers grab a picture with Mayor Johnson at the Skyline dedication

EAST SIDERS! I have been told that nothing is guaranteed in a facility plan until the contract has been signed - just ask the hand ball players. So - please go to the Beast meeting on April 30 and put your sticky note on your district 5 map and remind them that district 5 residents want 8 pickleball courts at the Beast. The Westside meeting was last night and conflicted with the Galatzan Tag Team tournament, but I was there and stuck a note on Mary Frances Keisling Park.

Here is the schedule:

Serve Set to Open Memorial Day, May 26

At this time May 26 is the scheduled opening day for this private venue off of Paseo del Norte on the westside (1633 Cimarron Emporium). Serve has five indoor and four outdoor courts. This is the fee structure for court rental at this time:

Monday - Friday

$20 (outdoor) - $25 (indoor) until 5:00 PM

$40 (outdoor) - $45 (indoor) after 5:00 PM

Saturday and Sunday

$30 until 5:00 PM

$50 after 5:00 PM

Ascarate Visitors From "Across the Pond"

Four Royal Air Force pilots take time out from training at White Sands to play pickleball at Ascarate

Four Royal Air Force pilots took time off from their training exercises at White Sands to play with us at Ascarate. Their home Army base is a stone's throw from Stonehenge, in Southern England. Apparently our weather is more conducive for flight practice.

According to Henry, pickleball is just getting started in England. All tennis facilities have been privately financed, membership required, and he is predicting that pickleball will be the same. They were enjoying the free public access at Ascarate. His tourist to-do list while visiting El Paso included line dancing (he said it is not his strong suit), going to a rodeo (not available), and eating good Mexican food.

And if you are planning to visit the UK and go into a pub, what would be his advice? "Don't order one of those fancy drinks. Stick with beer, wine, or G & T (gin and tonic). And if you order a bag of crisps (chips) you should open it up and share with your mates."

Don't look like a tourist.

Play happy everywhere you go,

Jamie Fisher

President, Pickleball El Paso Association