Have you paid your dues? Not the ones that include traveling far and wide at all hours to play pickleball, regardless of what else you’re supposed to be doing. No, the dues that support the club that represents your pickleball interests with EPRD and the wider mountain community.

You actually may not know if you’ve paid $20 to join or renew with Evergreen Pickleball Club in 2024, and that’s OK. Drop an email to VP John Dunlop and he’ll let you know. Dues paid in the first three quarters of the year run through the end of the calendar year and make you eligible to play in any of the spring/summer EPC tournaments you wish to register for. Dues paid in the fourth quarter cover you through the next full year.

The club is working hard to expand access to existing courts and promote new ones. It puts on popular tournaments and social events such as the annual Spring Fling.

A link to this free newsletter is sent to all who sign up on the EPC website. It currently has 723 subscribers. The club had 265 dues-paying members at the end of 2023. We hope more of you will join us in supporting local pickleball by paying your dues.

Spring Fling Offers Food, Drink, Conversation and Even Pickleball

The always anticipated Spring Fling, again sponsored by avid pickleballer Gig Blitz, will give us not only a chance to have conversations that aren’t abbreviated by a shouted “Next four,” but will provide a free dinner and a free drink for each person who has sent an RSVP.

The Fling will be Wednesday, May 15, from 5 to 8 p.m. at The Wild Game in Bergen Park. “This is our most popular social gathering of the year,” EPC secretary and social director Cherie Peterson said. “There are pickleball courts available outside, a ping pong table and a pool table inside for those who wish to play.”

Upon entry, everyone will receive a ticket for a free drink (beer, wine, well drinks, soda or iced tea). There will be a delicious complimentary taco bar with chicken, beef, rice, beans and pico de gallo.

“This is all thanks to Gig Blitz, who is once again sponsoring our spring social,” Cherie said. “We need an accurate head count, so consider responding now while you’re thinking about it. Last year we did have to limit our numbers since so many people signed up.”

Please email Cherie Peterson with your intention to attend.

First 2024 EPC Tournament will be at MVCC

We are grateful to Mount Vernon Canyon Club for hosting our annual Round Robin on Saturday, June 8, while Marshdale is under construction. Thanks also to EPC board member Travis Ervick, who is the racquets pro at MVCC.

The Round Robin date was previously announced as June 15, but had to be moved up—despite EPC Tournament Director Mick Pearce’s birthday occurring every year on the new date. He wants cake.

Registration won’t open until May 25, but it doesn’t hurt to plan ahead.

Courts Update

Marshdale: The chances the refurbished courts will be ready for play this summer is looking dicey because of contractor schedules and time needed for the courts to sit unoccupied after work is complete. “Nothing’s going to happen out there in July and it’s iffy in August,” EPC President Bob Kerr said. The courts remain open for play and the weather promises to be favorable this week.

Evergreen Middle School: EPRD will pay for sanded paint and lines if club members do the work, which they did last year. Installation of windscreens is a possibility.

The Wild Game: Players are already volunteering to help refinish the Bergen Park restaurant’s two outdoor courts. Volunteers also will collect the required waivers and $25 annual fee, as they did last year.

Buchanan Park: The EPRD board may be leaning toward adding a multipurpose court surface to the Buchanan Recreation Center, rather than endorsing a freestanding indoor-outdoor structure.

Tennis bubble: A planned sale to the prospective owner had not gone through as of last week.

Linda Parker (foreground), Pat Theno and Jim Malone relax between games last summer at The Wild Game.

Gear Up for Summer

Jim Mosby displayed EPC-branded merchandise at last week’s quarterly board meeting, but he noted sales don’t really heat up until tournament season. Well, it’s almost that time, so it may be a good idea to get your order in.

The courts at Canyon Vistas RV Resort in Gold Canyon, Ariz., were adorned with EPC gear a week ago. June Flinn snapped the photo.

Join the Club!