Welcome to the Bellingham Pickleball Club (BPC)

Bellingham Pickleball Club

2 weeks ago

IMPORTANT: COVID-19 UPDATES FOR ALL

BPC will not be coordinating any activities, nor encouraging open play, including at Cornwall Park, until circumstances change regarding Covid-19.
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Yes this breaks our hearts, but it is the only responsible thing to do given the current situation. It is incumbent on us as a community organization to exercise caution and comply with relevant official recommendations, guidelines, and laws.
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Because we value the health and safety of our cherished community (yes, even above our love of pickleball), we are postponing everything. The USAPA has yet to provide an official statement, but has withdrawn sanctioning for tournaments for the next two months. Pickleball Canada has already made an official statement.
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NOTE: BPC DOES NOT RECOMMEND PLAYING in open groups or large groups, and cannot even recommend playing in foursomes unless the four players all live together. While many will find this to be common sense, some likely may not.
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FOR THOSE WHO CHOOSE TO CONTINUE TO PLAY, we encourage you to follow the recommendations below.

Any local play should only be undertaken if there is full compliance with the most stringent of current and relevant official guidelines and recommendations including Whatcom County, WA State, and the Federal Government/ CDC.
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This includes respecting guidelines for:
> Group size limitations;
> Physical distancing;
> Staying home if you, or anyone around you, have been feeling unwell;
> Object sanitation (eg. ball, paddle, etc) and hand hygiene (including sneezing/coughing into arm, not touching face, hand sanitizing if washing hands is impractical, etc);
> Extra caution for high risk and vulnerable persons;

> AND VERY IMPORTANTLY, having an effective disease containment plan in place, referencing all components above, that is well articulated & understood throughout all players in a group.
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Unlike normal times when BPC usually takes leadership in crafting plans, we will not be doing so in this situation beyond stating the above recommendations. At this time the Bellingham Park Department is leaving all outdoor facilities open to the public, but that could change at anytime, particularly if they see high risk behaviors taking place.
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It is likely that the local North Sound YMCA Tournament will be cancelled or postponed, but that decision will be made later in the month by the YMCA.
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These are tough times, and they won’t last forever, but we are all in this together. Please remember that your actions, both on the court and off, will have ripple effect consequences for others. This also applies to people who have no symptoms, but unknowingly might be transmitting the virus.

Thank you for acting responsibly.

BPC Board
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Barbara Goebel, President (bagoebel@gmail.com; 360-441-5628 )

Stephen Dillon, Vice President

Maggi Kriger, Secretary

Terri Vossbeck, Treasurer

Catharine Vadar, At-Large

Gaby Gaiz, At-Large

Bob Hei, At-Large

Bellinghampickle@gmail.com
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Bellingham Pickleball Club

2 weeks ago

CANCELLATIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS
All indoor BPC-hosted pickleball sessions are cancelled until further notice due to gym closures related to Covid-19. While this makes us sad, the venue closures are for the health of the community to limit virus transmission.

This includes:
> Bellingham Schools(Fairhaven, Sehome, and all others);
> Meridian High School;
> Bellingham Covenant Church, beginner and novice sessions.

If you make the personal choice to play pickleball in other venues, indoors or out, we highly recommend you use excellent hygiene measures & physical distance 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, or have been around people who are sick.
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During this time it may be 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.
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We think these pickleball venues are still open, but that could change any minute.
YMCA
Semiahmoo
Birch Bay Activity Center
Outdoor Public Park Facilities
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NOTE, Looking ahead:
BPC will set up a calendar of skill-level sessions in the afternoon & evenings at the parks, similar to last year. Bellingham Park Dep't allows us to reserve four courts for these sessions as long as they are: Open to the general public; On the website calendar; Posted on Cornwall Kiosk; AND there is a “Host” present.
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Sessions can only happen if there is a host, so please let us know if you might be interested in hosting or co-hosting a session of your choice, . Appropriate support provided. Sessions will start by Memorial Day for sure, and potentially as early as April, weather & Covid-19 permitting, as long as there are volunteer hosts.

Stay healthy!

bellinghampickle@gmail.com
www.bellinghampickleball.org
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Bellingham Pickleball Club

2 months ago

REMINDER and NEW UPDATES:
This Sunday 2/9 is BPC Development Meeting; all welcome!
Meeting 5:45- 7:15pm; Optional potluck @ 5pm;
2418 Keesling St, Bham 98225 (Jim & Maggi’s house, Columbia Neighborhood; 360.305.0304)
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We want to hear from you!
We will be discussing Cornwall planning among other topics.
See AGENDA @ bellinghampickleball.org/meeting-notes/
Even if you can’t make the meeting, we’d love your input!
bellinghampickle@gmail.com or message us.
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UPDATES
Two Brand NEW BPC-Hosted Sessions:
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> Levels 2.0-3.0 (lower to upper novice) on Tuesdays 2:30-4pm on two courts at Bellingham Covenant Church. No cost.
Hosts are Ed Goebel & Marv Benson. Focus will be on drills/ skill-building, and then play.
To be added to the Spond invitation list, please contact Barbara @ bagoebel@gmail.com
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> 2.5 & 3.0 “Step-Up”: Wednesdays 6-9pm at Fairhaven Middle School (starting 2/19).
This is a group for people who want to commit to skill building on specific elements needed to “step-up” to the next level. There will be skill-building drills, corresponding games incorporating those elements, plus play. There could be a bit of a boot-camp feel, so it’s only for players who want to apply focus in this type of way. 15 spots max for 3 courts. Preference given to folks who are willing & able to commit to 4 Wednesday sessions 2/19 - 3/12. (Re-evaluation for future sessions will happen by March 6th.) $5-10 per session (your choice).
....Hosted by Maggi & Friends. Contact Maggi @ mkabcd1234@gmail.com to express interest, including whether you can commit to 4 sessions. Those who express interest will be contacted by 2/13 regarding whether you have a spot in the group. (FYI: you must be or become a BPC member to participate in any sessions at school gyms.)
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If you don’t know what level you are, you can use the self-rating guidelines @ bellinghampickleball.org/rules-and-organizations/ for reference, or inquire.
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BTW, other school gym times are available if you’d like host or co-host a BPC session.

Thank you for your support and your input!
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bellinghampickle@gmail.com
www.bellinghampickleball.org
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