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their tennis courts or other
surfaces.
Facilities do, however, need
to consider that the bulk of
the game's enthusiasts may
be on a fixed income, unable
to pay high fees. An annual
membership fee may be
enough to cover costs and still
add to your bottom line.
"You can't charge a lot," says
Cheryle. She charges pickleball
players at RISE a membership
fee to use the court during the
day but does not charge an
additional rental fee. Because
players tell their children and
grandchildren about other
programs at the facility,
such as leagues and birthday
parties, the pickleball program
is good for general business,
too.
"We also have pickleball
tournaments on the weekends.
If you're going to do a
tournament, you have to be
able to dedicate one court, or
possibly two courts, for the
whole weekend, or at least one
day. That's kind of tough for
us sometimes, but we do have
times during the year that we
can do that."
The basketball courts at RISE
convert to volleyball and have
lines for all three games–
basketball, volleyball and
pickleball. Representatives
of the pickleball league that
Pickleball Players
at The Greensboro Sportsplex (Greensboro, NC)
plays at the facility measured
and taped the courts. The
vinyl tape can easily be peeled
off with no damage to the
surface. Court dimensions,
as well as do-it-yourself
guidelines, are available on
the USAPA website.
Pickleball can add variety to
your programming. It is a
great addition to corporate
events and birthday parties,
as everyone can enjoy it, no
matter what their fitness
level. Because many seniors
enjoy pickleball, it can be
another way to occupy slow
daytime hours. It is a fun
game that can add value to
your business with little effort
or expense.
