12/14/20 Update: In keeping with the Governor’s mandate, people are expected to wear masks during outdoor sports activities. Therefore, they will be required at any BPC-sponsored sessions.
NOTE:
Most courts have special requirements that must be followed during Phase 2. Please be supportive by adhering to these modified protocols during this time period. Thank you.
Reference: USAPA: COVID-19 GUIDANCE ON SAFE RETURN TO PLAY; https://www.usapa.org/…/05/COVID-19-RETURN-TO-PLAY_USAPA.pdf
LOCAL PHASE 2 COURT OPTIONS AND GUIDELINES
(Subject to change without notice)
BELLINGHAM PARKS’ COURTS
All guidelines were set in collaboration between BPC & Bellingham Parks and Rec Dep’t.
*NOTE ALL:
- Play should be pre-arranged to meet up in a small group of 2-5 people.
5 people is the limit for recreating or gathering.
Please avoid mixing players between groups or playing in multiple groups during a visit to the courts. - Singles (including “skinny singles”) and doubles have equal court priority.
Singles is a safer choice than doubles, unless partner is a household member.
Skinny Singles: https://youtu.be/NFMLlzQt2TY
Regular Singles: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1ZL9tdP87k - There is no drop-in, congregating, or larger group play allowed at courts.
- Maintain 6-foot distance with non-household members and/or wear a face covering.
- While others are waiting for a court, play is limited up to one hour.
Please be considerate. - One waiting group at a time per court.
The group, or representative, waits outside that specific court. - Stagger sessions from dawn to dusk to minimize wait times & congestion.
- Please assess your own health, safety, & risk factors, and take care of yourself.
- All relevant local and state guidelines apply.
BELLINGHAM PARK “MULTI-USE” COURTS
Fairhaven Park has lines for use with tennis nets, and/or for two portable nets.
Padden & Elizabeth Parks have tennis courts with painted lines to use tennis nets.
Birchwood Park on Cedarwood has a basketball court with lines for two portable nets.
Cornwall Park Tennis/ Pickleball “Multi-use” Courts::
There are two tennis courts which are striped for 4 pickleball courts with portable nets, or 2 courts using the tennis nets.
All same guidelines apply.
NOTE: A limited number of nets are available for borrowing by BPC members for several weeks at a time.
CORNWALL PARK: 4 dedicated pball courts are open for play, with above guidelines.
THE TWO MIDDLE COURTS ARE CLOSED so players don’t walk though occupied courts, or need deal with errant balls on courts. This way each court of players is completely in charge of their own safety.
Each court should be entered and exited separately, including 2 back courts by using back gate.
THE TENNIS/ PICKLEBALL “MULTI-USE” COURTS @ Cornwall are open. There are 2 tennis courts or up to 4 pball courts if you bring a portable net. (Same guidelines apply.)
BIRCH BAY ACTIVITY CENTER
BBAC (Part of Birch Bay and Blaine Parks & Rec) currently has indoor and outdoor pickleball court times available by reservation only.
Courts: Two indoor courts (with minimal space between); two outdoor courts
Note: Indoor and outdoor courts by 1.5 hour reservations at this time.
For designated indoor weekly pickleball sessions during business hours, you may reserve one court for up to 5 people, or two courts for up to 10 people (See BBAC calendar.)
Reservations during non-business hours are for the entire facility; maximum of 10 people.
Cost: $3 per person for court reservations during business hours; $25 for facility rental.
No charge for outdoor court reservations.
Contact and Info:
Call 360-656-6416 for reservations. For questions, call or email info@bbbprd2.com
Read all guidelines @ https://bbbparkandrec.org/
See calendar @ https://bbbparkandrec.org/
LYNDEN CITY PARK has a pickleball court with permanent net and has remained open.
BENDER FIELD in Lynden now has 4 dedicated pickleball courts.
HILLCREST PARK in Mt Vernon has three dedicated courts open (of six total). Players must come in groups of 2-5 and play with that group. There is no group or drop-in play. If players are waiting, play 2 games and rotate off courts. Use safe distancing with other groups.
BELLINGHAM ATHLETIC CLUB (Cordata), Bellingham
The BAC at Cordata has 1 indoor pickleball court for drop in play in their gym, as well as 3 outside courts.
Courts: 1 indoor court. 3 outdoor courts
Note: BAC is currently offering scheduled drop-in play. Subject to change!
Cost: Membership or daily guest fee accompanying a BAC member.
SEMIAHMOO RESORT, Blaine
The fitness center at the Semiahmoo currently has two of four indoor pickleball courts available by reservation only for members.
Courts: Two indoor courts; outdoor court for portable net, which players must bring.
Cost: Membership (which involves a hefty initiation fee).
More Info:
https://www.semiahmoo.com/health-club.php
Front Desk: 360-318-2009; Email: / Suzanne @ smelby@semiahmoo.com
More Info: https://www.bellinghamathleticclub.com/programs/pickleball
(360) 676-1800
NOTE: If you’d like to join a list of players sharing contact information to make pickleball connections, visit https://bellinghampickleball.
If you make the personal choice to play pickleball during this time, we highly recommend that you use excellent hygiene measures & physical distancing to minimize the potential spread from person to person. And of course, cover sneezes & coughs with your arm, avoid physical contact, and don’t come if you feel sick at all, have recently tested positive, or have been around people who have been sick or tested positive. During this time it is safer to play in small closed groups with agreed upon hygiene practices than in an open group. If you are in a high-risk health category, we recommend that you not play in open groups.
Mission Statement
BPC promotes the development of pickleball skills, facilities and community in the greater Bellingham area.
BPC Membership Supports:
- Expansion and improvement of local pickleball facilities.
- Welcoming environment for players of all levels.
- Vibrant pickleball community.
- Opportunities to connect with players of your level.
- Enhanced communication, including BPC website.
- Links to places to play, local classes and clinics, rules and organizations, and discounts.
- And much, much more…
Contact Us
Questions about the club, or anything else?
Visit “Bellingham WA Pickleball”, a local group of pickleball players on facebook. Provides general information but not specifically BPC.
News and Updates
Cornwall Courts Closure Alert!
The Parks Department is planning to install the new gate and replace the fence fabric at the Cornwall Courts on December 9th, 10th and 11th. The Cornwall courts will be closed those 3 days to accommodate the work.
www.bellinghampickleball.org
#bellinghampickleball
www.bellinghampickleball.org
Welcome to the Bellingham Pickleball Club (BPC). BPC promotes the development of pickleball skills, facilities and community in the greater Bellingham area. BPC Membership Supports: Expansion and improvement of local pickleball facilities.IMPORTANT ALERT regarding COVID-19
In keeping with the Governor's mandate effective Nov. 17 for 4 weeks, people are expected to wear masks while participating in outdoor recreation activities. Everyone will be required to wear a mask at any Bellingham Pickleball Club sponsored (skill building) session.
#bellinghampickleball
Cornwall courts will remain open because closure for crack repair has been delayed due to weather forecast. We will let you know if we get word from the park department that they are going to close courts for repairs or maintenance in the future.
Thank you for your understanding.
#bellinghampickleball
Cornwall Dedicated Pickleball Courts Closure
September 14-16, 2020
Attention Picklers,
The Bellingham Parks Department is closing the dedicated Cornwall Park pickleball courts starting the morning of Monday, September 14th through the end of the day Wednesday the 16th.
This closure is necessary for repairing the court surface cracking. Good weather is required, so the repair timeline is weather dependent.
We ask everyone keep this closure in mind when looking for places to play pickleball on these days. The multi-use courts at Cornwall will remain open.
Here is a list of other places to play:
Fairhaven Park has lines for use with two tennis nets, and one court can also support two portable nets.
Lake Padden & Elizabeth Parks have tennis courts with painted lines to use tennis nets. Elizabeth Park will have lines chalked for use with portable nets while the Cornwall pickleball courts are closed.
Birchwood Park on Cedarwood has a basketball court with lines for two portable nets.
Cornwall Park Tennis/ Pickleball “Multi-use” Courts
There are two tennis courts which are striped for 4 pickleball courts with portable nets, or 2 courts using the tennis nets.
BIRCH BAY ACTIVITY CENTER
BBAC is open by reservation only (for up to 6 people per court on 2 outdoor courts with portable nets). No charge, but reservations are required.. You can bring a portable net or check one out from BBAC during their business hours.
Masks are required whenever inside the BBAC building. For important details & rules, go to: share.getcloudapp.com/8Lu7QAEk or call: 360-656-6416
LYNDEN CITY PARK has one pickleball court with a permanent net and is open.
BENDER FIELD in Lynden now has 4 dedicated pickleball courts with lights.
HILLCREST PARK in Mt Vernon has 3 dedicated courts open (6 total). Players must come in pre-arranged groups of 2-5 and play with that group only. If players are waiting, play 2 games and rotate off courts. Use safe distancing with other groups.
#bellinghampickleball
CLARIFICATIONS, INFO & VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT
(Recent email has more details.)
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CLARIFICATION FROM BELLINGHAM PARK DEPT
All Cornwall Phase 2 protocols will remain in place including middle courts closure. The Park Dept & BPC will re-evaluate together when reaching Phase 2.5 or 3.
-Please gather & play with pre-arranged groups of 5 or fewer people.
-Please enter and exit directly to each court by walking around, rather than through another’s court.
-Masks should be worn when waiting near others, and if your partner requests.
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-BPC is working with the Bham Parks & Rec Dept to comply with the guidelines that have been established. See FAQ explaining rationale for Phase 2 @ bellinghampickleball.org/flyers-documents/
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WAITING PROTOCOL:
WHEN ALL COURTS ARE FULL, one or more in your waiting group should WAIT OUTSIDE A SPECIFIC COURT. To help decide which court to wait for, you are welcome to ask players how long it will likely be until they vacate their court.
A group on a court has a max of one hour ONCE OTHERS ARE WAITING. (Groups that have already been playing a long time will hopefully be considerate and give up their court sooner while others are waiting.) And remember that you can also use the “multi-use courts” with or without portable nets.
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BUSY TIMES:
Weekday evenings and Saturdays, as well as first thing in the mornings are often quite busy. If your group can play at other hours or locations, please consider doing so.
If you have issues or concerns about Cornwall, you are welcome to reach out to BPC.
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HAVE INPUT, OBSERVATIONS, or QUESTIONS?
Reach out directly to a board member, and/or email bellinghampickle@gmail.com . Input always welcome!
The newly elected board members are:
President: Stephen Dillon; Vice President: Carol Lo; Treasurer: Terri Vossbeck; Secretary: Barbara Goebel;
At-large: Gaby Gaiz; Josh Sharon ; Mark Livingston.
For immediate needs, text Stephen at 360-510-8142
Additional Lead Volunteers:
David May, Facilities Manager;
Maggi Kriger, Volunteer Coordinator.
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SEEKING VOLUNTEERS; WE NEED YOUR HELP!
Please let Maggi know if you can help or need more info.
Volunteers are who make everything happen. Thank You!
mkabcd1234@gmail.com / 360.305.0304
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A) CHECK OUT POTENTIAL COVERED SPACES to help find opportunities for play with portable nets!
We’ll give you a list of criteria, to check. Please volunteer for one or more groupings, and let us know if you want someone to partner up with. We need to check out all alternative potential spaces due to COVID-19 closures.
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BELLINGHAM SCHOOL “PLAY-SHED” POTENTIAL
NORTH
Alderwood Elementary; Birchwood Elementary; Cordata Elementary; Franklin Academy (Private); Parkview Elementary ;Shuksan Middle; Whatcom Community College
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CENTRAL
Assumption School (Private); Columbia Elementary; Whatcom Middle; Bellingham High; Options High; WWU
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EAST
Carl Cozier Elementary; Geneva Elementary; Northern Heights Elementary; Roosevelt Elementary; Silver Beach Elementary; Sunnyland Elementary; Kulshan Middle
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SOUTH
Happy Valley Elementary; Lowell Elementary; Wade King Elementary; Fairhaven Middle School; Sehome High
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ANY of the COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT “PLAY-SHEDS”
Blaine; Ferndale; Lynden; Meridian; Mt Baker; Nooksack.
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CHURCHES
Do you know of any churches with covered areas?
Are you willing to research this a bit?
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OTHER COVERED SPACES or WAREHOUSE-TYPE LOCATIONS?
Ideas? Willingness to research?
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B) START A SMALL GROUP SKILL-LEVEL SESSION for your level range, or lead a small group skill development session for players of a lower level. (Phase 2 guidelines apply)
Let us know if you might be interested. BPC will provide support if needed. Some groups are forming. And please let us know if you form one that might be open to others.
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A BIG THANK YOU TO 203 PICKLERS WHO RENEWED OR JOINED BPC SINCE MAY!
190 people have opted to join in the Member Directory, and 50 have participated in the optional Match Making Survey.
Renew or join BPC Now Due to the Covid-19 situation, everyone is welcome to pay whatever member fee works for them, even if it’s $0.00.
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NEED HELP?
If anyone reaches out to BPC because they don’t know how to get going with pre-arranging a group for playing (and/or drilling), we will help arrange some playing options for them. bellinghampickle@gmail.com
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HAVEN’T YET CHECKED OUT THE IMPRESSIVE ACHIEVEMENTS FROM LAST YEAR?
BPC Accomplishments & Volunteer Recognition @ bellinghampickleball.org/flyers-documents/
The top upcoming priorities are:
- Trying to find suitable places to play this winter;
- Opportunities for small group skill-drill sessions & player development;
- Pursuing a year-round covered facility.
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Input is always welcome.
Thank you for your support of our pickleball in our community!
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Bellinghampickle@gmail.com
www.bellinghampickleball.org
#bellinghampickleball
www.bellinghampickleball.org
Welcome to the Bellingham Pickleball Club (BPC). BPC promotes the development of pickleball skills, facilities and community in the greater Bellingham area. BPC Membership Supports: Expansion and improvement of local pickleball facilities.