By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
They were sweating, smiling and talking good natured smack to each other – adhering to the unwritten rules of playing pickleball.
“Hit it to Stan and we have a better chance,” one player confided in his partner, loud enough for Stan to hear.
“You come to play or to watch?” a player teased after an opponent failed to return a ball loaded with spin.
“You’re either going to be a zero or a hero,” another player taunted.
The six outdoor pickleball courts in Perrysburg’s Municipal Park were packed Wednesday morning last week with retirees exercising their athletic skills and social agility.
“You’re looking at 70-year-olds who otherwise would be sitting at home,” said Brian Sell, of Bowling Green, who plays pickleball about four times a week. He is among many Bowling Green residents who travel to Perrysburg, Holland and Findlay to play on outdoor pickleball courts.
They would love to play in Bowling Green, but right now the only local courts are inside the community center, in space that has to be shared with many other purposes – youth sports, fitness classes and National Guard activities.
So the local pickleball players served up a proposal earlier this year for outdoor pickleball courts in Bowling Green.
The goal became part of the city parks and recreation department’s five-year master plan. But the players are concerned about the recently released price tag of $800,000 for six outdoor courts.
“$800,000 was not what we had in mind,” said Dave Saneholtz, one of the BG pickleballers advocating for local outdoor courts.
But that cost estimate was part of a concept plan, explained Kristin Otley, director of the BG Parks and Recreation Department.
“We don’t anticipate it will cost that much. This is not the final plan – this is a concept,” Otley said. “We asked them to look at every single thing we might put there. We don’t like to go out to bid and be surprised. I would rather have it come in high and have the bids come under that.”
The proposal calls for six pickleball courts to be built west of the Community Center on Newton Road. It’s likely the project would be completed in phases, Otley said.
Otley recognizes the demand for local pickleball space.
“They have been playing in the community center for years” when the gym space isn’t being used for other purposes, she said. “That’s how we know that this is so popular.”
Four pickleball courts can fit on one tennis court. The games are shorter, averaging 10 to 15 minutes each. The players cover less space, don’t have to be in great shape to play, and don’t have to be super skilled to enjoy the game, explained Paula Hermes.
“This is so fun, and it doesn’t matter what level you are at,” she said.
Though the courts are full of retirees during daytime hours, they are also used by younger people in the evenings and on weekends.
“It’s always been thought of as an old people’s sport,” Saneholtz said, calling pickleball the fastest growing sport in America. “I’d like to put an end to that. Pickleball is a game that any generation can play.”
None of the pickleball players take the game too seriously.
“Everybody’s good natured and enjoying themselves,” Saneholtz said.
“None of us really care that much if we win or lose. We just have fun,” said Bob Kreienkamp.
On one recent morning, Saneholtz said he lost every match he played.
“But I had fun doing it,” he said.
That doesn’t mean, however, that some pickleballers don’t try to sneak in some friendly strategy. Players are aided by quick hands, fast feet and patience, said Dick Hermes.
Of course, if those are in short supply, then it’s time to target the opponents’ weaknesses. Aim the ball at the other team’s feet, make them use their backhand, or land the ball in between the teammates.
“You shoot one down the middle,” Saneholtz said.
“And let them decide who’s going to get it,” Hermes added.
And then there’s the Achilles’ heel – which for most retired players are their knees, Hermes said with a grin.
Saneholtz, a retired engineer, has put together some figures for outdoor pickleball courts that came in at less than half of the city’s concept plan estimate.
The annual maintenance costs for the courts are estimated at $5,000 – which the BG pickleballers said they could easily cover by holding one tournament a year.
The pickleballers have asked City Council to use some of its American Rescue Plan Act dollars for outdoor courts. Several other communities in this region have dedicated ARPA funds for pickleball courts.
“We are looking forward to a commitment from council to fund pickleball courts at whatever level,” Saneholtz said.
The local players need a formal commitment of the city’s investment in the project before they can start seeking grant funding, Paula Hermes said.
The annual Party for the Parks fundraiser, formerly known as the Wine & Cheese Social, will raise money this year for the pickleball project. The event is Sept. 23, from 5-8 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Building in City Park. Tickets are $85 per person.
The Party for the Parks will feature:
- Catering by SamB’s
- Wine selections by Norn Heineman
- Beer selections from four local brewers: Brewing Green (While My Guitar Slowly Drinks), Aistear (Chaotic Good Seltzer), Arlyn’s Good Beer (Oktoberfest and Czech Lager), Juniper Brewing Company (Soulshine IPA, Black Swamp Festbier)
- Cookies from Kacee’s Cookies and Confections
- Over 20 silent auction items to bid on: yoga basket, gardening basket, dine in BG basket, panini/sandwich basket, pizza in BG basket, craft cocktail basket, lavender basket, pickleball basket, 26-inch bike, grilling basket, Eden basket, Hagemeyer photo session, teeth whitening and more)
- Raffle for Solo Stove smokeless fire pit or Becky McOmber hand crafted purse
- Entertainment on the patio from BGHS Madrigals, Jackson Dias Trio (jazz), Grande Royale Ukulelists of the Black Swamp
- Presentation of the Spirit of the Foundation Award
