Dear Member - click the newsletter title to read articles on:

Organized Play: Coming Very Soon

Red Willow: Hoping For Mid-July

Play: Shoot Outs

All Play: Mixed Recreational Play

Harmonious High Road: Alpine Resident

Facilities Task Force

Report On The AGM

Call For Volunteers

Organized Play: Coming Very Soon

The City is busy arranging for us (and many other sports) to resume league play.  St. Albert is indeed approaching this with an “abundance of caution.” In the meantime, many of us are safely enjoying spontaneous play, and are thankful to shed the “Covid cocoons” of Spring 2020!

We anticipate the City announcing the go-ahead very soon in the coming days/weeks, and we want to be ready. 

Members and Captains at Alpine will need to conform to some extra “duties of caution” in ensuring proper social distancing, registration and “clean play” (ball handling).  For this eventuality, could every member please put the following in their playbag: a pen (for signing in), your own ball, and sanitizer.

By the way, to help manage health safety, all our outdoors play this season on club courts will be “Members Only.”  Only members get the email alerts on new news posting, so if you know some former member who hasn’t yet renewed their membership for 2020-21, let them know this is a good reason to renew. (Still a great value at $28.57 per year ($30 with GST).

When organized play begins with sessions for each level of play, those members must have a rating of that level. Rating clinics will also be scheduled in the coming weeks to take care of those interested in this progress for their game.

Red Willow: Hoping For Mid-July

The club has requested Indoor play at Red Willow over the summer, and the venue is finalizing their protocols for safe play. The latest update is that we’re still a few weeks away (mid-July).  No doubt many of us will enjoy this future indoor play option to relieve our sunburns!

Play: Shoot Outs

When organized play is able to resume, our club coordinators will be using our website system to schedule and register members for these weekly play events! Stay tuned for instructions and invites to participate in Shoot Outs (according to play levels).

All Play: Mixed Recreational Play

We have had suggestions for more of the mixed, spontaneous play that some members recall from days of yore. This play is focuses on “just having fun” and less on winning. This is unrated play that mixes people of different skill levels. Well here it comes- we’re calling it “All Play” in our upcoming calendar.  For those that want to join in a relaxed game, or to even invite others that may have been shy, come be a part of this mixed, recreational fun!

Harmonious High Road: Alpine Resident

The Alpine facility is nestled within a community of residents, and there is actually one posted guideline for all players: to avoid play on Court #1 when possible, and use other courts if available). When we abide by this, we are helping maintain the peace with the residents, who acceptably tolerate a daily soundtrack of Pop n’ Thwack.

Our advice to all members if approached by a resident complaining of any play, is to “Not engage, but Report” to the SAPC Board:  communications@pickleballstalbert.ca 

This advice is to help avoid escalation and distractions with your enjoyment. The City is aware of the “noise” issue a few residents have about the courts, and are actively involved, having instructed residents to avoid interference with the playing public. 

Let’s continue to be guided by principles of harmony and respect for this outdoor community venue, and project our values as congenial ambassadors of Pickleball in St. Albert.

Facilities Task Force

Come help us realize the vision of SAPC independence, with our own self-managed, four-season play venue. Imagine us all enjoying a full-time indoor facility where we can meet, play and celebrate our favorite pastime, all the time!  Other clubs have led the way, and there are opportunities to do the same.

Come join this strategic committee and help create what our future can be for pickleball in St. Albert. Having some experience with capital projects and financial planning and stakeholder relations is welcomed.  If interested, please email: secretary@pickleballstalbert.ca.

Report On The AGM

We had dozens of members successfully participating in the recent online AGM. It would also be accurate to say that no other previous AGM has lended to the enhanced acquaintance of members like this online meeting, due to our shared views of homescapes, scenic backdrops and living room togethernesses!  Indeed, when could it ever be said, that being “all in each other faces” could be such an enjoyable pleasant time.

The meeting was just under an hour, and included various reports, discussion and unanimous voting. Special thanks to the following: 

James Porter -or arranging & training our Zoom platform where members were able to view, listen and participate smoothly during this virtual realm!

Douwe Spriensma- our club Secretary for his inordinate patience with the voluminous task of organizing club information, and for choreographing the 30+ AGM items into a flowing, scripted experience.

Ray Keroack- our club Treasurer, for his scrupulous attention and many monthly hours in managing club finances and compiling the financial statements for last years and the unanimously approved budget for our next year.

Lawrence Taylor- our auditor, for professional hours contributed to advising and reviewing our finances. And thanks for agreeing to continue on as Auditor Lawrence.

Claude Michaud- for years of service (retiring)as our Director-at-Large and club Equipment Coordinator, ensuring our steady supply all our play essentials for all venues.

Mike Bowen- our Nominating Committee Chair  (retiring from service), helping recruit and prepare incoming club volunteers with sage advice and direction.

Eileen McClean- our club President, for facilitating an orderly meeting (with barely an accent from her recent extended urgencies on the British Isles).  And thanks Eileen, for taking on the position of President for another two years!

Nicole Synowec -guest attendee from St. Albert Parks & Recreation, in being a supportive City liaison with our club.

Gary Marcellus – thanks for taking on another two years as Vice President Gary.

Carol Mah – thanks for standing and winning the Director-at-Large position on our board.

John Sandmoen, Scott Henderson and Gillis Hermanns- thanks for agreeing to serve as our Nominating Committee for the next year.  And thanks to retiring Nominating Committee members Candace Morgan and Mike Bowen.

Melanie Malchuk- thanks for continuing on as our Ombudsperson.

Call For Volunteers

Equipment Coordinator: there’s a vacancy for this vital role, to help our indoor and outdoor venue coordinators with all the physical details that us members depend on for play.  Have a look at the things detailed in the Equipment Coordinate job description that you would be valued for in taking care of on behalf of your club!  Job Description

Email your interest to: secretary@pickleballstalbert.ca

Alpine Captains for 2.5, 3.0 and All Play: these organized play groups can only be included on the calendar if we have volunteers for Captains. Currently there are none for the 2.5 level, and too few for All Play and 3.0 levels. Consider being a Captain, to ensure your playing peers can enjoy a reserved slot for having fun together. To volunteer, email: venuemanager@pickleballstalbert.ca