TIME SENSITIVE ACTION ALERT!
Want a new year-round venue for pickleball in the greater Bellingham area?
Take this 10-minute MULTI-PURPOSE SPORTS & EVENT CENTER SURVEY @ www.surveymonkey.com/r/KMPZ5C6
Please complete it this weekend. Deadline November 11th.
Share it freely!
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It could even have enough temporary courts for a tournament!
Thank you.
More info below for reference.
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Bellingham-Whatcom County Tourism is seeking input to determine the need for a Multi-purpose Event and Sports Facility. They invite the community to take an online survey by 11/11/19. For questions, please contact Eric Rainaud-Hinds at eric@bellingham.org or 360-671-3990 x 211.
FYI:
The Bellingham Pickleball Club has 325 people on it’s mailing list, and 250 current members (which includes some memberships from last year about to expire), We estimate that there are over 1000 folks who play pickleball in our county. The growth potential is unlimited including more potential out-of-town visitors & tourists, which this center wants to attract!
#bellinghampickleball
FAIRHAVEN Middle School Gym sessions have begun from 6 - 9pm,
Tuesday for 3.75-4.5 Contact Carsten
Thursday for 2.0 - 3.0 Contact Darcy
Thursday 3.25 - 3.5 Contact Kim
See website calendar for more information at bellinghampickleball.org
#bellinghampickleball
Thank you Carsten!
Message below from Maggi Kriger, BPC Secretary/ Communications Manager:
As I head out for a month long vacation, I leave you with some comments.
(Similar message in this morning's detailed email.)
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1) It’s expected that some communication will be delayed or more limited than usual, as Barbara will be handling most of it on her own, (while working and helping her daughter Alicia when she has her fourth child soon).
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2) It’s likely that some pieces of the BPC puzzle could fall through a crack or two without the usual role I play trouble-shooting, making needed connections, etc. Lots of volunteers are doing much good work, but it’s a learning process.
Please be supportive, and do what you can to help out and make things go well.
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3) There was an error in a recent email communication about the 2.0-3.0 evening session at FH Middle School on 3 courts. It is on THURSDAY night, NOT Tuesday night as previously stated. The 3.25-3.5+ session is also on Thursday night.
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4) If I do communicate while I am gone, I’ll want to be as time efficient as possible so I might not bother with normal social politeness. Please don’t take it personally or think I am being rude. My apologies if I come off as curt.
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5) For your reference, the 9/22 BPC Devt Meeting notes can be found @ bellinghampickleball.org/meeting-notes/ , along with the September Survey Results.
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6) The next BPC Development Meeting will be Sunday 11/17 @ 5:45pm (optional potluck at 5pm). 2829 Lynn St Bham (near Yeagers). All Invited!
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If you have questions, check with Barbara @ Bellinghampickle@gmail.com or bagoebel@gmail.com , (or the person in charge).
Thanks all. See you in November!
www.bellinghampickleball.org
bellinghampickle@gmail.com
Maggi, thank u for all you do! Enjoy your well deserved vacation!
What: Info for Evening Sessions at Fairhaven Middle School Gym
When: Tuesday & Thursday Evenings starting October 1st
(ALERT: 2.0-3.0 session is on Thursday, not Tuesday as previously indicated!)
Who: Those of skill levels that fit the sessions
How: Respond TO THE HOST with your interest to get invited
Why: Skill Development, Play Time, and Community Building!
Cost: $3 - $8 (your choice to help BPC cover expenses)
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Starting October 1st, BPC will be renting Fairhaven Middle School gym from 6 – 9pm on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. This gives members, novice (2.0) and above, an opportunity to play more indoors this winter! (Beginners can look for opportunities at the YMCAs and at BBAC.)
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See recent emails for additional important details.
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All groups will begin with drills, and then play games. Specifics will be determined by the host and the group that attends. Some groups might choose to break the 3-hour time slot into two shorter sessions. For liability reasons, participants must be or become BPC members. (You can do that online, or there will be forms available at the gym.)
These sessions are possible because volunteers have stepped forward to host at levels of their choice. If you want to attend, you will need to get set up in the “Spond” app to receive the weekly invitation either by email or text, and then RSVP each week you want to attend. There will be a waiting list when spots fill up.
Contact the host for the session of your level. If you are not sure of level, select the lower level. The hosts will help you determine if you should be at the next level up.
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IMPORTANT: Once you RSVP, if your plans change, please contact the host or update your Spond response.
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As with many things that BPC does for the first time, this will be a learning and growing process. Please support the hosts as they work to build something beneficial for our community. As time goes on, we will evaluate what changes we might want to make.
If demand is overwhelming, another session might be able to be set up if a volunteer host steps forward.
THE SESSION CHOICES ARE:
2.0 – 3.0 Thursday @ 6pm; East gym with Darcy and Margen
Contact: Darcy @ riggins_schmidt@me.com or 360-224-4049
Join us for some fun as we continue to learn to control shots and develop game strategy. We’ll learn skill-sharpening drills and exercises prior to lots of time for playing games. At some sessions we’ll also incorporate 4D drill-skill assessments as time & helpers permit. (Deep Serve, Deep Return, Dropshots, & Dinks).
3.25 – 3.5 @ Thursday @ 6pm; West gym with Kim Hei
Contact: Kim @ klphei101@hotmail.com or 651-900-4543
Our objective is to have fun with particular focus on ball control and improving skills .After starting with skills then games, we may break half way through for a few skill-reinforcing rounds such as dink-only or 3rd shot drop games.
3.75 – 4.5 Tuesday @ 6pm; West gym with Carsten Kroon
Contact Carsten @ ckroon@gmail.com or 360-746-1298
The sessions will start with drills, and progress to a Shoot-out Ladder format, followed by open play.
If you have general questions, you can contact Barbara @ bagoebel@gmail.com .
Great Opportunities!
WHERE TO PLAY?
>We will soon be letting you know about upcoming evening sessions at FAIRHAVEN Middle School Gym, starting October 1st. (Tuesday evening will likely be 3.75+; Thursday will likely be dual sessions that cover the 2.5-3.5 range. We are hoping to also have a session for 2.0+.)
>We will also be working on a plan for some Saturday afternoon sessions @ MERIDIAN High Gym on 11/16, (possibly 11/23), 12/7, & 12/14 to start. For liability reasons, you will need to be or become a BPC member to participate @ school gyms. Stay tuned for all.
Sessions that don’t get enough sign-ups will be cancelled.
>The BHAM YMCA will be holding split sessions in the mornings, as usual.
>Plus the FERNDALE YMCA will now have:
Monday & Tuesday sessions for beginners (and likely novices welcome too). Wednesday & Friday afternoon sessions for “Intermediate”;
Thursday afternoon for “Advanced”.
Check out their schedules online.
>You can always check out links & info to local venues on “Places to Play” @ www.Bellinghampickleball.org . We will update it when we have more info.
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RENEW OR JOIN AS A BPC MEMBER
Your membership supports local advocacy, efforts at local parks, and provides access to BPC sessions @ school gyms. Thank you!
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SEASONAL CHANGES at CORNWALL
If you have a blower, squeegee, and/or broom, you are encouraged to bring it, especially after wind or rain. This autumn BPC will purchase a blower with rechargeable batteries, which will be stored in the lockbox. Let us know if you are a good candidate for taking a battery home regularly for recharging & return. (We will also get chargers.)
If you are a responsible BPC member who would like access to the horseshoe shed for squeegees, please let us know. Same if you wish to be considered for access to the lockbox.
The Wednesday afternoon Beginner/Novice session has primarily moved indoors. For more information on that, contact Barbara @ bagoebel@gmail.com . Two courts only with limited availability.
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PLEASE NOTE: LIKELY UPCOMING RESPONSE & UPDATE DELAYS
Maggi (BPC Secretary & Communications Manager) will be out of town from late September through early November, and doing very minimal BPC related work. Barbara will monitor BPC emails, but expect potential delays and limited updates during that time. Thank you for your patience & understanding!
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Thank you for you input & support!
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.