Michael,

 As we discussed, attached is a document and supporting material we have prepared regarding the request for an agreement from Shea to reserve the space south of the tennis courts for the construction of a pickleball facility. The following link will provide a Google Maps view of the space to be considered: http://tinyurl.com/2aexqjs

 After review, we would like to meet to discuss this proposal and finalize an agreement.

 Let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

 Regards,

Mike

Purpose:

The pickleball club board has met several times regarding our pickleball facilities and we have concluded that it would be in the best interest of the community that we pursue funding for a permanent facility. Several quotes for construction have been obtained with costs ranging from $52,000 to $71,000, depending upon the size and amenities. A more accurate estimate will be solicited once we have determined the final design elements. The Pickleball Club has formed a fund-raising committee which has met to formulate an approach to the fund-raising effort. We are confident that the needed funds can be raised within a two year period, if not sooner.

To further show our sincerity and resolve in our desire for a firm commitment from Shea for a location to build our pickleball courts, I am pleased to report that we have raised $14,500 in pledges from our first call to contributors. This money was raised from a select group of pickleball club members and community supporters. I present this in good-faith to show that we are serious about our efforts.

With this said, and with the effort that will be required to accomplish this task, it is imperative that we have a firm commitment from Shea stating that the proposed site (as illustrated in the attached diagrams) is and will remain available for construction of the permanent facility. It would not be reasonable to ask our community for a financial commitment without an end goal. Therefore, the following and attached information is being presented to solicit your questions and approval. We respectfully request that a meeting be set between our pickleball representatives and Shea to discuss our options and put together an agreement that we can work with.

The Game of Pickleball:

Pickleball is a fun game that is played on a badminton court with the net lowered to 34 inches at the center. It is played with a perforated plastic baseball (similar to a whiffle ball) and wood or composite paddles. It is easy for beginners to learn, but can develop into a quick, fast-paced, competitive game for experienced players. Watch a pickleball video.   Pickleball Rules Summary The game is easy to learn and is considered the fastest growing adult activity in the country.

Pickleball at Trilogy Over The Past Two Years:

In May of 2009, a group of pickleball enthusiasts were granted use of the basketball facility at Reunion Park to place temporary lines on the surface to create 3 pickleball courts. Portable net posts were constructed of concrete and are rolled on and off the courts as required.  As the group played, interest from other members of the community became apparent. Presentations were made to the community at the weekly “Coffee Talk” sessions held at the Kiva Club.  There were 20 and 30 people showing up at “Beginners’ Night” each week. 

The Trilogy Pickleball Club was officially formed and chartered at a general meeting held on February 24th, 2010. The following Officers were nominated and elected at that meeting:


President:                                Mike Pagliarulo
Vice President/Secretary:       Don Beardsworth
Treasurer:                               Don Johnson
Member at Large:                    Stewart Helfrich
Member at Large:                    Stu Bernstein
Member at Large:                    Manley Perkel  - Appointed on November 10, 2010

The Need for a Permanent Pickleball Facility at Trilogy:

As of September of this year there are 101 members of the Trilogy Pickleball Club. This is a larger group than the Tennis Club membership. Although participation wanes somewhat during the summer months, it is not unusual to have 25 to 40 players show up for an afternoon session during the fall/winter season. With this many players participating, our current facility with only 3 courts results in somewhat long wait times to get onto a court.

Because of the landscape watering system leaving puddles of water on the courts over the past 5 years, the concrete surface had become smoothed and slick causing several falls. The court was resurfaced this spring and new court lines were laid. However, the standards are moved on and off the courts before and after each play session. These concrete standards are literally home-made and tend to deteriorate the playing surface. The nets are not regulation size and have an impact on play, since they cannot be set to the correct tension.

Several communities have extended invitations to our members to play at their facility. This has spawned camaraderie and development of friendships among the players. However, with no permanent facility, we are unable to reciprocate. Additionally, there are tournaments held at communities throughout the valley. The national pickleball tournament has been held at Festival over the past three years. The potential purchaser traffic generated by this event is the main reason they continue to host the event. Not having a permanent pickleball facility precludes our participation in hosting any of these events.  

Layout of a Pickleball Court:

The diagram below shows half of a pickleball court on one side of the net.  The following steps can be used to lay out half of the court and then repeated for the half of the court on the other side of the net. 

• Determine the location of the net.  It should be a straight line 22 feet long (20 feet between the sidelines with an additional foot on each end to extend to the net posts).  Outdoor courts in the United States should generally be aligned with the long axis in the north-south direction.  However, courts in the southern third of the U.S. should be aligned 15-25 degrees west of true north to minimize the effects of the afternoon sun in the winter.
• Locate the center of the net (point C on the diagram) and then measure 10 feet to points A and B (the sidelines of the court).
• Anchor a measuring tape at point A and another tape at point B.  The measuring tape down the sideline should be 22 feet and the diagonal tape should measure 29.732 feet or 9.062 meters.  Pull both tapes tight to meet at point D.
• Repeat step 3 on the opposite side of the court to locate point E.
• As a double check, verify that the distance between points D and E is 20 feet.
• Mark the center of the baseline at point F.
• The non-volley zone line is located at 7 feet from the net and is located entirely within the 7-foot non-volley zone.
• All lines should be 2 inches wide.
• The total overall playing surface should be at least 30 feet by 60 feet for recreational play.  The preferred size for tournament play is 34 feet by 64 feet.

Also see Suggestions for Laying Out a Pickleball Court  

Lines and Areas. The lines and areas of the standard pickleball court are:

·         Baselines. The lines parallel to the net at each end of the court are the baselines.

·          Sidelines. The lines perpendicular to the net on each side of the court are the sidelines.

·         Non-Volley Lines. The lines on each side of the net between the sidelines that are parallel to the net are the non-volley lines. These lines are located 7 feet (2.13m) from the net.

·         Non-Volley Zones. The zones on each side of the net between the non-volley lines and the net are the non-volley zones.

·         Center lines. The lines on each side of the net bisecting the non-volley lines and the baselines are the centerlines.

·         Service Areas. The intersections of the non-volley zone line, the centerline and the baseline create two service areas, the left service area and the right service area.

Net Specifications.

• Material. The net may be made of any netted material.
• Net Size. The net length shall be at least 20 feet (6.1 m) extending from one sideline to the other. The net width shall be at least 2? feet (.8 m).
• Mesh Size. The net mesh size must be sufficiently small to prevent a ball from passing through it.
• Height. The net shall be suspended over the center of the court and shall be 36 inches (.914 m) high at the sidelines and 34 inches (.86 m) high at the center of the court.
• Center Strap. A center strap may be placed at the center of the net to enable easy adjustment to the 34 in. (.86 cm) requirement at center.
• Net Edge. The top of the net should be edged with a 2 inch (5 cm) white binding over a cord or cable running through the binding. This binding must rest upon the cord or cable.
• Posts. Net posts should be placed outside the sidelines. Recommended height of the post is 36 inches (.914 m) and recommended placement is 12 inches (30.48cm) from the sideline.

 

Detail Requirements for New Pickleball Facility:

COURT MATERIALS:

Court size: Slab should be 136’ X 72’ which will provide space for 4 pickleball courts, fencing and covered walkway/seating area.

Concrete: Provides the best surface durability at a reasonable cost. Cement slabs should be installed over 4” of sand for moisture drainage. The ground itself should be graded to provide for water runoff also. The slab, should, ideally include reinforcement with 3/8” or ½” re-bar on a 24” grid. It is extremely important that at least a one percent slope for water runoff be provided, preferable from side to side. This would be 3” for every 25’ of surface. On this type of slope a ball will gently roll all the way across the court. Anything less than this will create “birdbaths” on the court where water collects.

Lighting: Courts could be equipped with one 1,500 watt quartz fixture centered at each side, totaling 4 fixtures. The height of the light fixture should be 18’ to 20’ high.

Net Posts:
Net post can be a 2” square or round tube. A square tube allows one to install a sleeve into the slab, so the net post can be removed.


Court Finishes:
The surface finish should be LAYKOLD acrylic surface or equivalent. It consists of a gritty material, which provides good footing.

Lines:
Lines should be white and 2” wide. The 20X 44 court borders should be centered on the playing surface, using a chalk line system to locate all lines. Lines lie within the baseline and sidelines dimensions. The court centerline does not extend through the Non-Volley Zone. The Non-Volley line also lies within the 7’ distance from the net centerline.

Fencing:

10’ tall vinyl coated chain link mesh (with windscreen) to be installed around the perimeter of the courts.

4’ tall vinyl coated chain link mesh (no windscreen) to be installed between each court to provide a divider.

Four 4’ X 7’ gates – One each to be installed at the north end of each court.

Walkway and Covered Seating Area:
An 8’ wide walkway should be constructed as part of the concrete pour, to provide a walkway on the north side, in front of the courts. This walkway will also be used as a seating/viewing area and should be cover with a sun-resistant material such as that used for the sails at the outdoor pool.

Electric:

Electrical outlets should be made available at strategic spots around the facility to service electric blower, etc. In addition, an outlet should be made available to service an evaporative cooler.

Water:
A water source should be provided to accommodate an evaporative cooler.

Storage Facility:

A storage facility approximately 8’ X 8’ (interior) will be needed to store rollers, brooms and other maintenance equipment. Additionally, this space would be large enough to house any equipment that the tennis club may need to store: a ball machine and court roller equipment, for example.

 
OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS:

• Plastic PVC tube should be installed under the court in strategic locations, so that power lines and/or water lines can be installed for any future needs.

• A light switch should be installed high enough to prevent children from operating it.

Currently Available Costs:

We have solicited several cost quotes over the past year. Attached are the estimates currently available. Firm quotes will be solicited once we have detailed drawing of the site which includes existing underground drainage, irrigation and utility systems documented.

Maintenance:

The cost of maintenance is estimated to be $12,000 per year.*

This includes:

• Periodic removal of dirt and debris.
• Replacement/repair of fencing and windscreens at 5 year intervals.
• Resurface and relining of the courts at 5 year intervals.

*Note:

This cost would be partially offset by the reduction in landscape maintenance required for the currently existing green space.   

Conclusion:

Time is of the essence. It is our goal to have an Agreement in place by December 17th, 2010, granting use of the proposed site, provided that the pickleball club raises the required building funds.

 

Should you have any questions or require additional information or clarification, you can contact:

Michael Pagliarulo,

President, Trilogy Pickleball Club

MPagliarulo@hotmail.com

623-234-4628

Respectfully Submitted by;

Trilogy at Vistancia Pickleball Club, Board of Directors