Submitted by R Bergren on Fri, 12/05/2025 - 08:21
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Minutes from December Meeting
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December Leadership Team held at Odell Weeks on Monday, December 1st, 2025.
Members Present: George Carr, Cheryl Breidenbach, Rochelle Bergren, Chrissa Matthews, Jordyn Balba, Nichol Gregory, Mo Garcia, Lori Comshaw, Jay Wilson, Linda Blake, Heidi Abele, Marcia Stivanson, Marian Garcia, Beau McCullough, Jody Madden, Dean Cheatham.
- New member introduction – George
- Dean Cheatham - Treasurer
- Nicole Gregory – Board Advisory Representative
- Jordyn Balba - President
- Chrissa Matthews – Vice President
- Rochelle Bergren – Secretary
- Feedback from Player Representatives –
- Jay asked questions about the API and AASPL Facebook pages. The AASPL page doesn’t say that it is part of API, and the API page does not appear very welcoming to new players. This will be checked into and are both easy fixes.
- Linda reported nothing new due to the New player clinics at Gregg Park are on hold due to a lack of court availability. It was asked if an outdoor January clinic and/or a small clinic could be scheduled at Smith Hazel. The January calendars will be looked at and see if these can be scheduled.
- Heidi reported nothing new.
- Marian reported nothing new.
- Jody reported player concerns of decreased indoor court scheduling/time and also that the dog training classes have been moved indoors.
- Lori reported that the restrooms are nearing completion and would be done by this weekend (12/5/25) for the Christmas craft show hosted at Odell Weeks. An additional concern was reported about the flooring in gym 2 with bubbling and concerns that it was being caused by pickleball or the type of urethane used during the most recent floor refinishing. This has not been an issue with indoor pickleball during the past 10 years. It was also asked if the pickleball nets/barriers needed to be picked up after each use rather than left up overnight if no other gym activities were scheduled after pickleball. It has been a lasting agreement with the city that the equipment would be picked up after each use to allow maintenance to perform their duties when needed. Lori also reported that open play has been running smoothly.
- George reported upcoming gym closures due to the Christmas craft show and a luncheon through next Friday. Smith Hazel will be open as usual. Updated closures are listed on the API website and social media.
- New Website ready to launch – George
- The website is ready to launch, and API is looking for a Website Production manager to maintain the site.
- Virginia Acres – Jordyn –
- Court resurfacing has been rescheduled to the spring and all efforts will be made to try to coincide with scheduled black out weeks during league play.
- New foot scrapers (4 sets) have been purchased and have been provided to the city. They will need to be installed by maintenance.
- Dogs are not allowed on the courts.
- December 13 events – George
- A bench dedication is scheduled in memoriam of Christy Pritchard from 10-11. The bench is located on the outdoor courts at Virginia Acres at courts 7 and 8.
- The AASPL league is having the Fall 2025 end of season award party from 11-12 at the outdoor courts at Virginia Acres. Each attendee is asked to bring an unwrapped toy and/or food donation to collaborate with the Toys for Tots and Golden Harvest event.
- API is hosting a Toys for Tots and Golden Harvest from 12-3 by Mike Howard and Tracey Howell. The event will be at the outdoor courts at Virginia Acres. Donations of 5 canned goods will earn 1 raffle ticket entry; 10 or more cans will earn 3 raffle tickets. The raffle tickets will be used for a chance to win T-shirts from the sponsors or a Friday brand pickleball paddle and cover. You do not need to be present to win. Donations of new, unwrapped toys for tots are also welcomed.
- The funeral for Loretta Beckner will be held at 2 PM at St. Thaddeus in Aiken. Loretta and her husband, Mike, were the founders of Pickleball in Aiken in 2010. Loretta was the driving force behind offering free beginner clinics for the community. There is a bench honoring both of them on the outdoor courts at Virginia Acres.
- 2025 Fall League Update – Jordyn
- The Fall 2025 end of season party will be held on 12/13/2025 from 11-12.
- On 12/7/2025, the league has signed up to participate in the city of Aiken Christmas Parade as a marketing idea to boost community awareness of league.
- Financial Report – Dean
- API received a donation from Loretta Beckner before she passed.
- The current balance is $19,924 with no big expenses coming up.
- The annual liability insurance policy will be coming up. This insurance is for players includes league, tournament, clinics, board, etc. Mo and Harve have a separate insurance. The policy certificate has to be presented to the city to be considered a bonafide business/organization. Dean has the policy information, and the cost is ~$2000 annually.
- What Else – George
- Brian Eberhardt is no longer a Gregg Park player rep or sign-up contact with API.
- The City of Aiken in the past has asked API for volunteers to assist in the Hopeland Gardens light events.
- Final comments –
- API will donate $100 to St. Thaddeus in memory of Loretta.
- Lori Comshaw is a member of the rec commission.
- Mike would like to do the Golden Harvest Toys for Tots annually on the 2nd Saturday in December and possibly add a spring event as well.
- Someone has removed other bench memorial signs. If we observe this happening, we should know and advise that the benches are city property.
- Per the City of Aiken Code of Conduct, Chapter 26, “Sec. 26-4. Damaging park property. It shall be unlawful for any person within the corporate limits of the city to mutilate, injure, pluck, break, move, tear up or carry off any plant, shrub, flower, tree, fence or other improvement growing or erected in or around any of the parks of the city, or to in any manner injure any of the walks, ways or roads thereof.” (Code 1980, § 15-4)
The next meeting is scheduled for January 5, 2026, at 5:30 PM.