Soo Pickleball now has some national exposure. With it comes valuable resources, software tools to track members and host events, and liability insurance for all players at all venues thanks to a recent announcement. The full text of the press release follows:
Soo Pickleball is proud to announce it has officially become a recognized affiliated club of Pickleball Canada and Pickleball Ontario.
This gives us national exposure, valuable resources, software tools to track members and host events, and liability insurance for all players at all venues.
We would like to thank the City of Sault Ste. Marie for building us an eight-court outdoor complex and helping us train nine certified instructors who taught over 100 beginners this summer. We also have Sault College to thank for the six beautiful Waterfront Adventure Centre riverfront courts and support of all our programs. We have over 100 players waiting for lessons next spring, and our membership has grown to over 400.
We have indoor winter leagues at Clergue thru ADSB and at The Tech Complex. We use PlayTimeScheduler, an international pickleball app, to meet up for play (we were one of the top 10 users in Canada). We are looking forward to planning a junior program and advocating for a community indoor court facility to be shared with Badminton, Tennis and Volleyball. Both Gene and Linda are Ontario Pickleball ambassadors for the Sault and area.
Local residents may receive invites and info on all our programs by joining the club for $25. This membership fee is shared; $10 to Pickleball Canada, $10 to Pickleball Ontario and $5 to our local club to advance all initiatives and grow the all-age sport we love.
"Pickleball Ontario is happy to welcome Soo Pickleball as an affiliated club. This club shows that by working with its local municipality, only good can come from cooperation. Together they have been able to make a very popular sport become accessible to many more of the residents in the area, providing a source of exercise, fun and social interaction," said Gail Prior, president of Pickleball Ontario.
"Soo Pickleball has set an excellent example of what can be accomplished for other clubs throughout Ontario. Good work!”