With the growth of pickleball in the community, fans of the game have organized and formed a new Drumheller Pickleball Club.
About 19 people came out to its formation meeting on Wednesday, September 18. They are now in the process of registering as a non-profit society. Wayne Powell was selected as president. He said the club will be a welcoming, inclusive voice of pickleball in the valley, supporting all levels of play and creating community connection and friendship.
“The time was right that we organized for a voice for pickleball in the Drumheller Valley and represent all the players,” said Powell. “We were a loosely organized group of people that had a lot of fun together, and it was time to organize, we felt we could take this further out into the community and have some fun and roll some other people into the game.”
He says they envision organizing some leagues and competitions for the recreational players as well as the competitive side. In fact, last summer they held a couple of tournaments for local players, attracting about 30 players.
“That was great, and we want more now, and that takes a little bit of organization and maybe start taking a little bit of money,” he said.
They are also looking at more training and educational programs to teach people the game. This could be fundamentals for new players, as well as skill development for advanced players.
He says the community is well suited right now for the demand facility-wise. The courts at DVSS have recently been resurfaced and are in great shape. There is also the development of courts at the new Midlandvale Rink as well as at Newcastle Beach.
“Outdoors we are a little rich, and we might want to keep them maintained because in this weather, things do tend to break down in the winter time,” he said. “In the wintertime, we are a little tighter. Right now, I think we are being served at the BCF. As we get more growth or get into competition, we might need some more time, and time might be a premium. Being an organization can have a useful dialogue with BCF. How can we work together so we can keep pickleball growing?”
Part of the growth of pickleball is bucking the stereotype that it is only for senior players.
“That is the fundamental change in the game. About five or six years ago, it was still known as a seniors game. That has radically changed. There is now a professional pickleball league in the States, there is explosive growth in the clubs we have seen in Alberta, and a lot of them are younger people,” said Powell.
They see players in their 20s, as well as other players coming from different racquet sports, taking on the game.
Other members of the executive include Duane Bolin as vice president, treasurer Jim Pask, secretary Dan Hird and directors at large are Irv Gerling and Don Rosgen.
For more information or to get involved email drumhellerpickleballclub@gmail.com.
