Successful Clinic

The first City-sponsored "Intro To Pickleball" clinic conducted June 21 was a success.  Eight people participated including three adults and five youths.  Wendy Cavan and two of her Friends (Barb and Lucy) coached four of the youths through some energetic drills and spirited play.  Donna helped John advise the adults and one of the youths.  It's very likely all three adults will become regular local players.  Many THANKS are due to City of Idaho Falls Parks & Recreation Department Staff for their gracious hospitality and assistance in organizing and staging the 90-minute event. Many Thanks also to Wendy, Barb, Lucy and Donna for their awesome volunteer assistance.

 Donna and John (left) enjoyed coaching the adults and one youth who played really well.

Barb (left), Wendy (2nd from left) and Lucy (far right) helped the youth participants.
Here are some scenes from the event:

No pickleball in Memorial Gym until July

The City of Idaho Falls is conducting the annual Youth Basketball Camp in the gym at 520 Memorial Drive.  The basketball camp started June 12 and will run for the next three weeks.  These classes run from 8am to noon, Monday through Friday.  This means that the gym will not be available on Monday mornings until Monday, July 3rd.  Please pass that info around so no one is inconvenienced by driving to the Rec Center and being turned away.

Lincoln court restoration update

We received a note June 11 from the Lincoln Courts contractor stating he would perform the work "sometime in July".  Lorne Koch said onsite in May it the job might be done sometime in either July or August.  The June 11th note that it will be "sometime in July" is good news.

Thanks to Mayor & City of Idaho Falls

(l-r) Wendy Cavan, Idaho Falls Mayor Rebecca Casper and John Parsons

A letter of "THANKS!" was delivered in person June 9 to Idaho Falls Mayor Rebecca Casper by   Wendy Cavan, USAPA SE Idaho Ambassador, and John Parsons, USAPA Idaho Falls Ambassador,

"On behalf of both today's and tomorrow's enthusiasts, we wish to Thank You and the City's elected officials and staff for your collective support for Pickleball in Idaho Falls," Cavan and Parsons said, adding, "The City of Idaho Falls Mayor and Council deserve a special commendation for their support for a 2017 budget item which will allow the six Lincoln Park Pickleball courts to be repaired, resurfaced and restriped this summer.  Restoration of these courts will underscore the desirability of  Idaho Falls as a regional “Pickleball Destination”.  (Full letter shown below.)

Mayor Casper expressed much interest in Pickleball and stated she would like to learn to play.  She even asked several questions about how to buy her own paddle.  The Mayor was very quick to realize why pickleball is a fast growing demographic.  She was excited to begin to understand why the restoration of the six Lincoln Park courts is such a huge development for local and regional pickleball players.  Mayor Casper suggested a ribbon cutting ceremony take place after the restoration of the courts is complete.  She quickly agreed to cut the ribbon herself!

Wendy and John are very appreciative that Mayor Casper made time in her busy schedule to meet and "talk pickleball".   THANK YOU, Mayor Casper!

Intro to Pickleball June 21

The City of Idaho Falls Parks & Recreation Division will conduct the city's first "Intro To Pickleball" June 21.  We are very proud of the City and the Parks & Recreation Staff for their long-standing, multi-faceted support for "all things pickleball".