FROM THE USAPA
The Pikes Peak Pickleball Association and City Work Together to Create World-Class Courts
Colorado Springs Hosts the USAPA Great Plains Regional Tournament
Colorado Springs ' historic Monument Valley Park was the site of the largest tournament held to date in the USAPA Great Plains Region , September 7 – 11 .
Approximately 350 players played on 15 new post-tensioned courts over the course of the five-day event . Since the tournament is a age-within-skill competition every age group and skill group competed equally for the beautiful Made in the USA medals .
In addition , many nationally ranked players drew large crowds of onlookers .
USAPA Regional Directors Steve and Ramona Boone had high praise for the city ' s new courts and for the many volunteers from the Pikes Peak Pickleball Association that made the tournament so successful .
" We owe the biggest thank you to Sherry Fairchild who organized all the work teams , each days ’ play , and awarded medals to each days ’ winners ” said Ramona Boone . Sherry noted that "... the venue is in an inviting
BY STEVE AND RAMONA BOONE
beautiful park with Pikes Peak gazing down from 14,000 feet ."
To a person , the competitors gave high marks to the tournament and most are planning to return in 2017 , according to Fairchild .
Beautiful weather , mountain vistas , and lots to see and do , including world-class pickleball , is on the menu each September in Colorado Springs .
Come and join the fun ! •
The USAPA Great Plains Regional Pickleball Regional Tournament held September 7 - 11 was definitely a huge successful . ( See above article .) Fifteen new world-class courts contributed to that success .
After five years of the Pikes Peak Pickleball Association ( PPPA ) working closely with the City of Colorado Springs , the new pickleball courts became a reality just days before the tournament began . A community working together made the dream possible . The PPPA not only worked with the city but foundations and caring citizens who gave generous donations . The final contribution to the courts project by the PPPA was $ 220,000 . The special courts are made of post-tensioned concrete and are expected to last 50 years .
As the recent tournament came to a close , the new courts beckoned players to return next year for the third annual USAPA Great Plains Regional Pickleball tournament --- and for many years to come .
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