The couple that launched the Sooke Tennis and Pickleball Club have serving up the administrative portion of their paddling to a new board.
When Marilyn Erikson and Bevin Bigalky moved to Sooke in 2016, the two tennis courts at Art Moore Park on Wadams Way were overgrown and in disrepair.
"We had never played pickleball, but started hearing about (how much fun it was and the exercise benefits) from some friends and saw the need to bring pickleball to Sooke," Erickson said. "We started scouting around in 2018, and came across a professional pickleball referee and she offered to help us out."
By that time, they had reached an agreement with the Sooke Community Association, which owns the property, to clean up and restore the courts, Bigalky said.
Once volunteers had cleaned up the courts, the District of Sooke stepped in to draw up the lines for the courts and provide some funding for repairs, new nets, and paint, Erikson said.
"It took four years to raise enough money to do everything properly," Bigalky noted.
The location now sports one dedicated tennis court, three dedicated pickleball courts, and one two-way court that accommodated both sports.
Due in large part to the amazing rise in popularity of the new sport, membership in the club has surged from Erickson and Bigalky and a small group of volunteers to more than 600 members.
It's an active, affordable sport enjoyed by seniors, school groups, tourists, and community members, Erikson said.
Beginner lessons and court times are free, and you can join by simply going to the sign-up page on the Sooke Pickleball Club's Facebook page.
"Our philosophy has always been that we did not want to formalize everything with a formal board and rigorous regulations," Bigalky explained. "Keeping it free and accessible was very important, and everyone helps out where they can."
The club has never had a single complaint about the courts, which Bigalky attributes that to the courts' location across from Journey Middle School, and efforts to restrict play from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The growth and popularity, however, has meant that administration has become quite time consuming, which played a key role in the couple's decision to step away.
"We're seniors and we just want to play now," Erikson said. "We're really grateful for the relationships we formed with local businesses and people on and off the courts, and we have a great relationship with our neighbours."
Erickson and Bigalky take comfort knowing that the newly elected three-member board share the same values and goals, including securing more space to accommodate the burgeoning interest with youth and seniors alike.
"We're confident pickleball is here to stay," Bigalky said.
The three new board members, George Hill, Bart van den Berk, and Estella Arllott, are up to the task.
"Pickleball has become so popular that we need to look for other locations for courts in the community," Hill said.
"We want to continue with what Marilyn and Bev started and stay all inclusive," van den Berk said. "We also plan to become affiliated with Pickleball Canada and Pickleball BC.
Arllott said they're looking at ways to get water access on the site.
"It's (only) the first month for the board," she noted. "We're looking at all options."
Check out https://www.facebook.com/groups/111987010177346 for more information.
