Aiken Pickleball News

City of Aiken Parade Participation

On Sunday, December 7, 2025, members of the Aiken Area Pickleball League joined the City of Aiken Parade. The League Leadership Team and other participants created a festive float with a Christmas Pickleball theme, spreading Pickleball cheer to everyone watching. Their involvement was recognized with a thank-you note from the Aiken Downtown Development Association.

Thank You for Being Part of the 2025 Downtown Aiken Christmas Parade!

Good morning,

On behalf of the Aiken Downtown Development Association, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you for participating in the 2025 Downtown Aiken Christmas Parade. Your enthusiasm, creativity, and holiday spirit helped make this year’s parade a truly special celebration for our entire community.

We know it takes time and effort to prepare your entry, gather your group, and join us on parade day, and we are so grateful for your commitment. The joy you brought to the streets of Downtown Aiken was felt by everyone who came out to watch.

Thank you again for being part of this cherished Aiken tradition. We hope you had a wonderful experience and that you will join us again next year!

At Odell Tuesday Dec 9 thru Friday Dec 12 Pickleball will be in Gym 1

What to expect. Three nets are in the Gym 1 closet. Access is through the door to the left of the stage. If the door is locked, ask the front desk to unlock it. There are also court dividers in the closet but difficult to access and not worth the effort. The court next to the stage is Court 1. The basketball hoops are going to be down but should not affect play - you need to live with it. On Friday we only have the courts till 1130 - so all drop in play Friday morning. When you are finished playing please take the nets down. ..

We are back in Gym 2 on Monday Dec 15th - all six courts.

Minutes For the December Leadership Team Meeting

The minutes for the December Leadership Team meeting held on Monday, December 1, 2025, have been posted. Click here to read the full report.

Loretta Beckner

Loretta, together with 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. Loretta passed away on November 16, 2025. There is a bench honoring them both on the outdoor courts at Virginia Acres. Below is the link for Loretta's obituary and details on the planned memorial celebration. https://www.shellhouseriversfuneralhome.com/obituaries/loretta-beckner-nee-miller

The service will take place at St. Thaddeus Episcopal Church in Aiken, SC, on Saturday, December 13 at 2:00. For those who are unable to attend in person, the service will be live streamed at: St. Thaddeus Episcopal Church – St. Thaddeus Episcopal Church. Once the link is opened, click "Watch Online" at the top of the page. Please join us in remembering Loretta and her legacy to Aiken Pickleball.

Bench Dedication

In memory of Christy Pritchard (May 15th, 1954 - August 4th, 2025), API will dedicate a bench on the outdoor pickleball courts at Virginia Acres. The presentation will take place at 11:00am on Dec. 13th, 2025.

Christy was a member of the API leadership team as a 3.5 player representative and a supporter of many goodwill organizations as, Toys for Tots, Food Drives for the hungry, and a long-time advocate for children as Program Coordinator for Guardian ad Litem.

Please join us for the dedication.

Final Election Results for new API Board

On Monday November 10th, the current API Leadership Team met to vote on the new board governance. The following five members were elected by majority vote to serve on the API Board, starting January 1, 2026, for a period of two years: Jordyn Balba, Rochelle Bergren, Dean Cheatham, Nichol Gregory, and Chrissa Matthews This morning, the elected members for 2026-2028 confirmed their nominations and the Board positions were finalized.

Jordyn Balba – President

Chrissa Matthews – Vice President

Rochelle Bergren – Secretary

Dean Cheatham – Treasurer

Nichol Gregory – Board Advisory Representative

API would like to extend our gratitude to all who applied. The high caliber of talent within the Aiken community is evident. We are hopeful that everyone will collaborate to improve Aiken Pickleball for all members, in alignment with API’s mission statement,

Golden Harvest & Toys for Tots Charity Pickleball Event

Mike Howard will be collecting donations for Toys for Tots and Golden Harvest on Saturday - December 13th - between 12-3pm at the outdoor pickleball courts at Virginia Acres Park. Requesting donations of canned food items for Golden Harvest and or a new unwrapped toy in support of Toys for Tots for the Christmas holiday.

One ticket will be given to each person who donates five canned food items - three tickets for ten cans or more - and/or a toy - which will allow that person a chance to win "Pickleball With a Purpose" T-shirts with logos (Toys For Tots & Golden Harvest) and/or a new Friday pickleball paddle with cover per drawings to be completed during the event. You do not have to be present to win. All fourteen courts will be OPEN PLAY. -

What is Happening

XMA$ Craft $how Dec 1-7 - no indoor pickleball

Dec 8-12 in Gym 1 - only three courts

Donation for Toys for Tots and Golden Harvest - Saturday December 13th - 12-3pm - at outdoor Pickleball CourtS Virginia AcreS Park
No New Player Clinic or Practice until $aturday play returns

Help Desk

If you need help with anything, send an email to aikenpickleball@gmail.com and someone will get back with you.

We can help you with making and editing court reservations or adding your name to the "Looking for games" list, among other things. What we cannot tell you is the access code. That is for our use only. After 8 pm Wednesday evening, the Sign-up Genius is locked down, requiring an access code while the new time slots for the following week are being added. The signupgenius is then unlocked after 8 am Thursday morning and an access code is no longer required. But if you need help with anything else send an email to info@aikenpickleball.com and one of us will get back to you.

Minutes for the November Leadership Team Meeting

The minutes for the November Leadership Team Meeting held on Monday, November 10th, have been posted. Click here to read the full report.