OUR ORGANIZATION |
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Saskatoon Pickleball Incorporated (SPI) was registered as a not-for-profit organization in 2017. We have an elected Board of Directors who, along with our membership works to build partnerships with organizations at all levels to support the recognition and expansion of pickleball as an organized sport in the City of Saskatoon and surrounding area. The primary goal of Saskatoon Pickleball Inc. is to provide access and information to support participation in pickleball, as we promote the sport of pickleball to persons of all ages and abilities. We work to secure indoor and outdoor pickleball facility options in the City of Saskatoon and area. We aim to facilitate the growth of pickleball by organizing and communicating information regarding recreational and competitive play venues and schedules, recreational tournaments, competitive tournaments, referee clinics, coaching clinics, and player skill development clinics.
Saskatoon Pickleball Inc. has been very active since we incorporated. We provided input to the City of Saskatoon’s concept plan for the Father Basil Markle Park retro-fit. We collaborated with the City of Saskatoon to increase winter pickleball play times at their City Leisure facilities. In addition, as a result of our planning efforts, volunteer involvement and co-hosting of the 2018 Saskatchewan Provincial Open Pickleball Tournament, we gained national recognition from Pickleball Canada for sanctioned National Tournaments. More recently, we have partnered with Saskatoon Soccer Centre Inc. to resurface a soccer pitch at the Saskatoon Kinsmen/Henk Ruys Soccer Centre and install eight indoor courts. |
2021 |
Seasons greetings to our Saskatoon Pickleball Inc. community! 2021 is winding down, and weʼve been enjoying lots of great pickleball play and camaraderie, outdoors at Father Basil Markle Park and upgraded Umea Park, and now indoors at Uptown Jackʼs, our newest state-of-the-art pickleball facility!
Looking back on 2021, our Club has experienced incredible progress and accomplishments, all in the challenging context of a global pandemic. This is largely thanks to our volunteers, our members, our partners and our Board of Directors. SPI Volunteers, I canʼt thank you enough for your continued support! You have answered the call to assist with the roll-out of programs and you have provided extreme vigilance as we keep our Pickleball community safe, adhering to Public Health Orders and our Proof of Vaccination Policy. You continue to share the day-to-day workload, providing a safe, fun, and orderly environment for our 560+ members, and for that, our whole Club is very grateful! And thank you to each of our 560 SPI members for your support! Every act showing your support, patience and understanding is recognized and appreciated. You are supporting our community by respectfully adhering to SPIʼs POV protocols, answering Covid-screening questions daily, chipping in to set up and take down equipment, providing input, and having patience as our Board of Directors sets protocols and monitors programs to meet the needs of our membership. I also acknowledge our partners, Saskatoon Soccer Centre Inc. and the City of Saskatoon for believing in our vision of pickleball gathering hubs and believing that “if we build it, they will come.” We are proud of our partnerships that helped create Uptown Jackʼs, Father Basil Markle Park and Umea pickleball facilities. Our partnerships together with our supportive parent organizations, Pickleball Saskatchewan and Pickleball Canada are highly-valued. And last but not least, I acknowledge the leadership and ongoing work of the SPI Board of Directors. Our team has worked tirelessly in 2021 on several focused areas including the special Uptown Jackʼs project, the Umea court expansion, the PSP 2021 tournament, and ongoing Committee work in programs, communications, finance, volunteers, strategic planning, facilities, governance, player development, membership and fundraising. Their efforts position us well for future growth. Enjoy the festive holiday season with your loved ones! Check out Sign Up Genius for the bonus SPI Prime Time opportunities for both Reserve and Open Bucket play. And most important of all, letʼs stay safe and vigilant with our Covid-19 precautions, so that we are able to continue to enjoy all of the benefits of SPI Club pickleball play into the 2022 winter season! Marilyn Barrington President, Saskatoon Pickleball Inc. |
2020 |
While the events of 2020 changed many aspects of our daily lives, and continue to do so, Saskatoon Pickleball Inc., alongside the City of Saskatoon made the required adjustments within the Saskatchewan Public Health Order restrictions, and we forged ahead to serve players to the best of our ability. Nothing pleased us more than seeing your happy faces and hearing the sounds of laughter, cheers, and ball pops at the new Father Basil Markle Pickleball Park.
Despite the pandemic, 2020 saw great growth in interest in the sport of pickleball in Saskatoon in terms of total player numbers, venues, play options and volunteers. Here are some of the highlights of 2020:
2021 will be a better year for pickleball players in Saskatoon, with perhaps even more projects in the works, and Saskatoon Pickleball Inc. encourages everyone to stay motivated (maybe even catch a little of the upcoming APP Tour!) and to stay connected. We hope everyone remains healthy and safe, and we look forward to re-convening play at the pickleball courts soon! Cheers to the New Year! It’s going to be a better one! Marilyn Barrington, Acting President, Saskatoon Pickleball Inc. |
FUTURE |
Future Saskatoon Pickleball Inc. initiatives include efforts to secure more indoor and outdoor pickleball facilities for all of our citizenship. Saskatoon Pickleball Inc. will continue our partnership with the City of Saskatoon, and through fundraising activities, we will contribute financially to outdoor court enhancements. Other future initiatives include collaborating with Pickleball Canada and Pickleball Saskatchewan on a new coaching certification program, a national player database, a player development program and para-pickleball program development. Saskatoon Pickleball Inc. looks forward to exciting times ahead for pickleball as a rapidly growing, accessible, organized sport for all, in the City of Saskatoon and surrounding communities.
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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On March 23, 2021 SPI held its Annual General Meeting via a zoom meeting. Attendees were able to hear about the wealth of projects SPI has undertaken since its last AGM (2019) and the amazing expansion in pickleball facilities Saskatoon has realized over the past two years. SPI's current Board of Directors consists of:
EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS Marilyn Barrington - President Nina Henry - Vice President Theresa Kirkpatrick - Secretary Ray Basler - Treasurer DIRECTORS AT LARGE Tim Archer, Dennis Boyle, Kelly Howey, Glenn Stumborg, Dex Wyse |
OUR PARTNERS |
The City of Saskatoon, Department of Recreation and Community Development, promotes community-based sport, culture and recreation programs. It supports SPI with access to outdoor and indoor pickleball facilities and with the promotion and expansion of the sport of pickleball.
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In 2020 SPI developed a partnership with the Saskatoon Soccer Centre Inc. (SSCI) to resurface the Uptown Orthodontics soccer pitch at the Saskatoon Kinsmen/Henk Ruys facility. Lines for eight pickleball courts are on that pitch along with markings for soccer, volleyball and ball hockey. SPI now refers to that pitch as "Uptown Jack's."
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Pickleball Saskatchewan was incorporated as a non-profit organization in 2013. Its mission is "to promote the growth of pickleball for all, for life" The PSI website has a wealth of information pertaining to pickleball clubs, activities, places to play and learning opportunities in Saskatchewan and beyond.
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In 2009 a group of players created what is now known as the Pickleball Canada Organization. The purpose of PCO is "to develop and sustain a dynamic, integrated Canadian system that promotes participation, competition and excellence in pickleball.”
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