Hey Odell Weeks Pickleballers
There was some confusion this week about the Silver Sneaker program and the new rates effective April 1, 2022.
Per the City, the rate changes have no impact on Silver Sneaker program participants; if your fees were covered by Silver Sneakers, they will continue to be covered when the new fee schedule becomes effective.
Aiken Pickleball
Below is response from Aiken Parks, Recreation and Tourism(PRT) to questions about the April 1, 2022 Fee Schedule Change.
Why is there an increase at all?
Short answer: The new structure simplifies all of the various facility user fees, providing benefit to the participant, and improved operations for staff.
Extended answer: As a City Department we are responsible for evaluating/assessing programs, fees, budgets, services, participation numbers, etc.. In addition to feedback from our recent needs assessment and focus group meetings conducted by Clemson University, and trends within the PRT profession across the state, fees were evaluated and a proposal presented to the Recreation Commission with support, and received approval from PRT and City Management.
Why are City residents paying the same as County residents?
City citizens already pay the same rate as county residents on rental fees and other services provided by PRT; we have been inconsistent in our fees for services. We recognize that our parks and facilities serve a much greater population than within City limits. The PRT Department budget is funded from Accommodations and Hospitality Tax Collections, in addition to the General Fund.
Will my membership "grandfather" in until next year or do I have to pay the new rate effective April 1, 2022?
the present membership will convert to the Wellness Membership and the new rate will not take effect until the current membership expires.
Please welcome Anna Kerstiers, Bart Zweigora, Cindy Little, Ginger Hudock, Doug Hudock and Samantha (Sam) Chesnee to Aiken Pickleball. The six of them just completed the New Players Clinic held by Ben Lacy on Saturday, March 19th. See photo below. Special thanks to Nelson Swartzentruber and Jim Poore (not shown) for assisting. And again, just to remind, from 10am-12pm, Mon-Fri, Court 1 is designated the beginners court. If there are lessons on court 1, court 2 is the beginners court.
L-R + Ben, Anna, Bart, Cindy,, Ginger, Doug, Sam, Nelson
A roving photographer wondered into the Gregg Park gym on Saturday and took a few pictures...https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1yI1OvHnOU0nWp_Q_sOeih2-upFEZ9YRz...
Aiken Pickleballers
Our planning survey results are in with 88 responses to the survey!
Please have a look at the results here https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OjDrrammrt2mqFMafcrMXHGNgw19WyvR/view?usp=sharing
Below is a quick summary of the results, but please review the results for yourself.
The average PB player responding to the survey is about 67 years old and from Aiken County. Players have been playing pickleball for about 4 years, have been rated but doesn't really care about their rating.
Players get most of their information from the website, closely followed by emails and word of mouth.
On average players play 3-4 times a week either indoors or out. Odell Weeks is the primary location; Smith Hazel is not used much. Eustis Park is the second most used outdoor court.
Everyone loves to talk about PB. Aiken Pickleball events are supported either through participating or volunteering if convenient for players.
A majority of players are not interested in the USA PB association or activities that require certification.
Players spend little time working on their game and would rather just play. While open play is popular, reserving a court and playing with a group is the preferred option.
Most players are not that interested in participating in competitive play. This was the case at our most recent Round Robin, March Gladness with only 36% of players coming from the Aiken area.
Generally, the survey results indicated little interest in becoming an organized club.
Thank you to everyone that participated!
Aiken Pickleball
The minutes for the Leadership Team Meeting that was held Monday, March 7th, 2022 at 5:30pm at Odell Weeks, have been posted. Harve Mobley hosted the meeting. Topics that were discussed included the need for someone to volunteer to take over posting the calendar and signup genius; feedback from the recent members' survey: updates on the City Challenge and the Palmetto tournament in September; and much more. Go to Forums or click here to see the full report.
Aiken Pickleballers
An awesome time was had by all attending the March Gladness Round Robin at Gregg Park. Aiken 50 and over players swept the gold medals in the first ever March Gladness Mixed Doubles Round Robin. Bebe Murphy & Kim Herring (3.0); McKenzie Maggie & George Dalzell (3.5) and Cheryl Breidenbach & Harve Mobley (4.0).
For full results and photos click here...https://drive.google.com/file/d/17CWIrW9Dpyvq4BR4W7-b8Gh50Tu-WgDf/view?u...
The next Skill Rating Session will be on Monday morning March 21, at Smith-Hazel. Click here to sign up.
The minutes for the Leadership Team Meeting that was held Monday, Feb 7th, 2022 at 5:30pm at Odell Weeks, have been posted. Harve Mobley hosted the meeting. Our new player reps were welcomed - Leslie McCowan 3.5H, John McCowan 3.0H, Heidi Abele 3.5, and Jay Wilson 3.5L.
Topics that were discussed included the need for an additional 3.0H player rep; the appointment of a new Treasurer; request for a volunteer to maintain the Bulletin Board; our plans for 2022; updates on the March 5th RR; the City Challenge; the Palmetto tournament in September; and much more. Go to Forums or click here to see the full report.
