Raymond H. Goettsch On Sept. 2 SaddleBrooke Pickleball Association, Inc. (SPA) held a grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony for the expanded and newly constructed pickleball courts. The proceedings began at 7:30 a.m., and a capacity crowd of members and guests attended the ceremony. Guests included Tom Starrs, USA Pickleball District Ambassador for Tucson and…
Raymond H. Goettsch The board of directors of the SaddleBrooke Pickleball Association (SPA) met on March 16. Gary Stevens reported that a court allocation committee has been established to create court schedules for the forthcoming 14 pickleball courts at the Ridgeview location. The committee’s goal is to maximize the use of the courts by SPA…
Raymond H. Goettsch On Dec. 15, 2021, the SaddleBrooke Pickleball Association (SPA) held its year-end membership meeting in the DesertView Performing Arts Center theater. Retiring President Pete Giljohann reviewed the year’s significant developments for SPA, including the preparation for the construction of eight new pickleball courts and the designation of SPA as an amenity by…
Raymond H. Goettsch SaddleBrooke Pickleball Association (SPA) members enjoyed SPA’s annual holiday party in the MountainView Ballroom on the evening of Dec. 1. The festive party was organized by SPA Social Director Donna Hollingsworth, and she was assisted at the party by Jen Wilkins, Pat Carney, and Lexi Phillips. Nearly 100 members and guests attended…
Raymond H. Goettsch Many members of the SaddleBrooke Pickleball Association (SPA) are youngish, that is to say, in their 50s, or even 40s. In talking to more of these members, you learn that they chose to relocate to SaddleBrooke for the express purpose of playing pickleball. Jen Wilkin, age 58, and her husband, Jim, a…
Shawne Cryderman Any SaddleBrooke resident is welcome to attend this introductory lesson. At the end of the intro lesson, participants will have the knowledge of the basics of the game and be encouraged to join SaddleBrooke Pickleball Association (SPA) and continue with the Assisted Play program. The only prerequisite or “must have” for the intro…
Nancy Dowell The SaddleBrooke Pickleball Association (SPA) is thrilled to announce that Northridge Dental, located in Catalina, has confirmed a donation to SaddleBrooke’s new Pickleball Complex. Their generous financial support will be acknowledged with a plaque on one of the pickleball courts. Family-owned Northridge Dental opened in 2004. The warm, modern, and inviting office provides…
Nancy Dowell Membership in SaddleBrooke Pickleball Association (SPA) is on the rise. The summer has seen a spike in new memberships, and the club could not be more delighted to welcome the new members. Once a resident becomes a member of SPA, he or she may take advantage of all the player development program has…
Shawne Cryderman Any SaddleBrooke resident is welcome to attend the introductory lesson. The focus of the introductory lesson is to allow people of all ages and skills to have the opportunity to get on the court and play this fun, phenomenal, full of “good times” game. At the end of the intro lesson, participants will…
Nancy Dowell With the 7’ “kitchen” on either side of the net and the optimal 6’ separation between partners, pickleball seems to be the perfect sport given the current health concerns. It is clear that personal distance recommendations are going to be in place for much longer than anyone might have anticipated. It is important…