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 regarding the sport to of pickleball for 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 public 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 incorporation. Details of our growth can be read in the President's year end reports provided below. Moving forward, the Board of Directors will continue to collaborate with the City of Saskatoon, Saskatoon Soccer Centre, Pickleball Saskatchewan and other local, regional or national clubs and organizations to develop and implement programs/activities that meet the needs of our growing pickleball community. We will continue on with the core values and guiding principles of our organization: physical fitness and exercise, player skill development, wellness and friendships, diverse programs, safe, healthy and respectful environments. |
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On Thursday April 11, 2024, SPI held its Annual General Meeting via zoom. Many thanks to all the members who attended ~ 2023 was a great year ~ we appreciate your support!
We would like to thank Glenn Stumborg who left the Board in 2023. Although he is no longer a Board Member, Glenn continues to play a key role within SPI overseeing the School Group Lessons in the Spring and Fall. Also, he recently joined the Pickleball Saskatchewan Inc. Board of Directors and plays a key role advocating for all players in the province. We thank Glenn for his past, and ongoing efforts to support pickleball. We would also like to extend a warm welcome to Pat Flaten and John Grainger who joined the Board this year. Aside from regular board responsibilities, Pat will help with organizing the various components of our Player Development Program, and John will bring his expertise to Communications and Marketing. The New Board of Directors consists of: EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS Theresa Kirkpatrick - President Nina Henry - Vice President Ray Basler - Treasurer Shelley Augustin - Secretary Marilyn Barrington - Past President DIRECTORS AT LARGE Pat Flaten, John Grainger, Curt Larson, Scott Matheson, Cindy Ritchie, Dex Wyse |
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2023 was a very busy year for SPI. Our membership on January 1st was 458 and by December 31st it had grown to 1,150. With a huge increase in membership, the club was busy scheduling programs (bucket and reserve-a-court) for all skill levels and providing many lesson and special group options such as:
SPI entered into an Affiliate Program agreement with Pickleball Superstore (Smash Nation), based in Saskatoon. Members and friends now enjoy 10% off of most regular priced online purchases made through our coupon code “10SPI”. SPI’s fundraising team has actively sought grants to support our players. In 2023, there was huge sponsorship support for the Provincial Tournament and we received further income from the PSI MAP Grant funded by Sask Lotteries. All fundraising activities go to support our players and facility enhancement. Our Facilities and Partnerships team continues to advocate for more player time. As a result, we have secured additional court time on Friday mornings at Father Basil Markle Park (we can now play there five days a week). At Uptown Jack’s we have secured more evening play times on Tuesdays and Fridays as well as weekend play on Saturdays. As always, we thank the Saskatoon Soccer Centre Inc. and City of Saskatoon for their continued support of SPI and our players. A major project this year was the installation of windscreens at Father Basil Markle Park. It has made a huge difference for players. The porta-pottie at FBM is also a welcome addition!!! And who can forget the announcement that SPI and the Saskatoon Soccer have partnered to cost-share the development of 8 more courts at the Soccer Centre. Read the article below … We have a lot of work ahead in 2024! The Board works continuously on developing policies and practises to ensure we are a well-run organization that adheres to our values of being welcoming, respectful, ethical, transparent, and safe. We can’t thank our volunteer team enough because without them working behind the scenes we wouldn’t have the luxury to play in superb programs on fantastic indoor and outdoor courts. Thank you, thank you. Have a great 2024 – we welcome your help in supporting our continued growth as a club. Board of Directors Saskatoon Pickleball Inc. |
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2022 has been a great year for pickleball players in Saskatoon. Saskatoon Pickleball Inc. grew in many ways, despite starting out 2022 in the context of government public health restrictions due to the pandemic. Here are some of our accomplishments, thanks to a dedicated group of both Board and non-Board volunteers contributing to the ongoing operational and financial success of Saskatoon Pickleball Inc.
Marilyn Barrington President Saskatoon Pickleball Inc. |
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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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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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