March 19, 2023


PPPA – WEEKLY EMAIL BLAST


In this week's blast:




      A KIND THANK YOU FROM OAK CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

    Last year PPPA assisted the Oak Creek Elementary School P.E. Teacher with getting her pickleball program started for her 4th and 5th grade students. We were able to provide funding from one of our generous sponsors Mr. Brad Harvey of Harvey Investments. As well as some paddles that were donated by our members. Ms. Rikli sent a thank you note and an update on their most recent tournament. We just wanted to share the good news story of this program. Her thank you note is listed below with the winners of their tournament.

    We have had another great session of pickleball here at Oak Creek!  Our 5th grade tournament occurred this week with some excellent matches!  Here is a picture of our top 3 teams!  They were so excited to get the medals!

    1st place - Tigers

    2nd place - Demolishers

    3rd place - Edgars


            


    Once again, thank you for all your help in getting our program started!

    Emily Rikli

    P.E. Teacher

    Wellness Coordinator

    Before & After School & STEM Coordinator

    Oak Creek Elementary School



      ISSUE 1 INITIATIVE ON UPCOMING BALLOT

    For those of you that may not know, the previous Trails and Open Spaces initiative “2B” a couple years ago provided funds to enable the Colorado Springs Parks Recreation & Cultural Services to install the lighting at the Monument Valley Park 15 court facility. It also provided funding to the various improvements currently underway at the park. PPPA as a 501(c)3 can support ballot initiatives, but not candidates running for office. Initiative 1 will ensure that the funding for future park’s improvements, trails and open spaces is extended to continue to fund various parks, trails and open spaces projects will continue to make Colorado Springs a beautiful place to live, visit and play.

    --Over the past 25 years TOPS has

    -Preserved 7500 acres of Open Space

    -Built or improved 67 Parks

    -Added 53 miles of Trails

    --Without the 20-year extension

    -No continued funding for purchasing open space

    -Funding for parks and trails will be reduced

    Protect our outdoor spaces beyond 2025!


                        Cell:719.314.6008

    PPPA Board of Directors




      2023 COLORADO OPEN - PIKES PEAK OR BUST TOURNAMENT - AUGUST 11 - 13, 2023

    Registration is now open for the 2023 Colorado Open - Pikes Peak or Bust Tournament. 

    This is the "only" tournament that dedicates all proceeds to the City of Colorado Springs and to El Paso County to assist in funding new courts. Current new court development projects are:

     - Bear Creek Park - 6 additional pickleball courts and two tennis courts dual striped for pickleball

     - Venezia Park - 4 additional pickleball courts which are Pending Colorado Springs Parks and Recreation approval

     - Coleman Park - 18 - 20 pickleball courts that are included in the final design for the park

    Please register as soon as possible and be ready to enjoy some competitive play and a fun tournament experience!

    All information for registration can be found by clicking on this flyer:


       BEGINNING LESSONS UPDATE AND START DATE

      Good morning PPPA players, I hope you are now back to playing in a Round Robin, Ladder play or just together with other members, after a long and drawn-out winter period. 

      We will start the PPPA Beginning Lessons for 2023 on May 13th. They will be held at the Wasson Academy located at Circle and Constitution Blvd. The instructions will last through the first week of October, weather permitting, and we will not have lessons on the Major holidays this summer and fall. 

      The lessons for New & Returning Instructors is scheduled at Wasson on April 29th, Saturday. 

      Any folks that would like to volunteer as instructors, please contact Dan Lovelace @ Dano1@q.com and I will get you on the new instructors list. 

      Returning instructors are encouraged to attend and review the procedures. 

      I have a confirmation from most of the returning instructors. If you haven’t confirmed that you can help, please let me know. 

      Dan Lovelace 

      PPPA Training & Education Director



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      Please click on the balloon

      or use the direct link  http://roberta-loughman.remax.com



        NEW PICKLEBALL LEAGUE

      We have received inquiries in reference to the signs and flyers that have been placed at Bear Creek and MVP about a new pickleball league. This league is being run for a cost, by the organization that does the kickball league at MVP. They have applied for and received a permit from Colorado Springs Park and Recreation to run their league. They will be utilizing courts 12 - 15 at MVP for their scheduled matches. More information about it can be found on their website and for any complaints or comments please contact the Colorado Springs Parks and Recreation Department.

      Their league will not affect any PPPA round robins, guided play or scheduled events. 

      PPPA Board of Directors



        SUPER DUPER PARTNERS ROUND ROBIN WEEKEND

      Do you want to establish a DUPR rating? Or maybe you'd like to improve the one you have? 

      The weekend of March 25th and 26th is our Super DUPR Round Robin Launch Weekend. We will be offering a Partners Round Robin for 3.0, 3.5, and 4.0 level players. You play 6 rounds with 6 other teams and then Springs Pickleball will enter your matches into DUPR. Your new DUPR rating will show up on your app the following Tuesday. If you are interested, please sign up on the link below, and don't wait. Spaces are filling up quickly. 

      Super DUPR Doubles Round Robin Sign Up: https://app.courtreserve.com/Online/Events/List/8778/481R2HKRJE8778

      After launch weekend we will have these events by level every Saturday afternoon. You don't have to have a DUPR rating to join the event as the goal is to help you achieve a DUPR rating after one round robin event or increase your DUPR rating with a partner you enjoy playing with. At the event you will rotate with your partner to play against other teams and Springs Pickleball will be entering all of the scores into DUPR. You can do this event as a men's, women's or mixed team.

      To sign up or learn more click here: https://app.courtreserve.com/Online/Events/List/8778/481R2HKRJE8778

      May 6th & 7th is our First Responders and Armed Forces Appreciation Tournament. 

      If you are an active or retired law enforcement, first responder, fire fighter or military, we are opening registrations to you first and we are offering a $20 discount for those individuals. (Your partner does not have to be a first responder or military.) The cost for our first responders and military will be $50 for the first event and $20 for an optional 2nd event. For non-military or first responder the cost is $70 for the first event and $20 for the 2nd optional event. 

      If you are interested, please email julie@springspickleball.com and I will send you the registration information. 

      Registration will open to all other individuals on CourtReserve beginning April 1st so be sure to get your information in soon so we can hold you a spot in the tournament.





       THE PPPA ONLINE STORE IS OPEN

      Looking for gifts for yourself or pickleball loving family members or friends? Look no further! We have restocked our shelves and PPPA logo merchandise is now on sale with most sizes and colors of tee shirts, pullovers, hats and visors currently available in limited supplies online at the PPPA Store (pikespeakpickleball.com). Simply go to the website, click on the “Store” link, and follow the prompts to search for available colors, sizes, and styles.

      Payment can be made through PayPal or with your own credit card. Your purchase will be mailed to you for an additional charge, or you may choose to pick up your item(s). Pick up instructions will appear on your confirmation if you choose this option. Supplies are limited so log on and shop today!



      Erica Roberts, Merchandise Manager



       PICKLEBALL CENTRAL'S REWARDS PROGRAM

      Save 5% and 5% comes back to PPPA in an annual Pickleball Central gift card!

      Interested in saving 5% on pickleball gear, clothing and training aids?  PPPA is now enrolled in Pickleball Central’s Club Rewards program.  Here are the details for you and PPPA to benefit from:

      When purchasing any items from www.PickleballCentral.com, enter CRPPPA and you will receive an automatic 5% DISCOUNT and PPPA will earn 5% of every purchase that uses the code in an end-of-the-year gift card to purchase anything that PPPA needs – balls, extra paddles, nets, whatever we need!    (The code is not case sensitive.)

      Here's more about the ClubRewards program.


       KING SOOPERS COMMUNITY REWARD PROGRAM BENEFITS PPPA 

      Did you know that you can earn $$$ for PPPA with every dollar you spend when you shop at King Soopers or City Market? Friends and Family can help PPPA earn money too!

      See this flyer for information and how you can sign up.


      © , "PPPA" is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Colorado Springs, CO
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