HomeMy WebLinkAbout3/4/2020 Item 4, Rideout
Wilbanks, Megan
From:Steve Rideout <
To:Advisory Bodies
Subject:PRC Communication
Dear SLO Commissioners,
Pickle ball at French Park is incredibly successful. The numbers prove this every day. Nearly every day
of the week dozens of players of all ages and skill levels come to French Park to enjoy all seven of the
courts. The current schedule perfectly meets the needs of the hundreds of players who count on having
the courts open for play. The number of players has been growing every week.
You might not know that our pickle ball club gives free introductory instruction to new players every
Thursday morning. Free paddles and free lessons. Every week new players come, and most of them
continue to play on a regular basis (which is why our ranks continue to grow). They come because they
know they can find good, healthy exercise regardless of their age (many players are older, it is great
exercise for retired people, and there are families and teenagers, as well), and a safe place to continue
to develop their skills. They come specifically because there are enough courts for them to grow. At the
same time, there are top level players who practice every week for tournament play. It isn't like tennis
where there are 31 tennis courts available in SLO. There are seven pickle ball courts and hundreds of
players who rely on them.
The SLO pickle ball courts are a lifeline to the fastest growing sport in the country. SLO Pickleball is so
successful it has become a model for cities across the nation.
Please do not reduce court availability. It would just be the wrong the thing to do from every
perspective.
Thank you.
--
Steven Rideout
712-560-8109
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