Season Opening April 9
The nets went up April 9, 2 days ahead of last year. Thanks to Jerry Fabian and Josh Howald for opening the courts. There are no restrictions to playing.
The membership drive is on, and a copy of the registration form is attached. Print out the form to sign it, and either scan it, or take a cell phone picture to return to info@kincardinetennisclub.com. Payment can be made by etransfer to the same email address, or contact myself, Eva Pyszczynska, or Nicole Wright if you want to pay by another method. Our contact information is on the website. Currently 27 members have registered.
Keep your shoe tag from last year and you will receive a 2024 label to put on it. New members will be issued a shoe tag.
Court Maintenance
The courts appear to have weathered the winter well.
A new net crank was purchased by the Club for $273 and installed on Court 1.
The benches will return to the courts in May. The tables, and windscreens will be installed in May. If members want umbrellas, they will have to supply them.
Group Play
Sign-up doubles will remain on Mon, Wed, and Fri from 10:00 to 11:30 AM. Jerry Dvorak has agreed to continue to coordinate this group. Email Jerry at jsdvorak77@gmail.com to join the group.
Drop-in doubles from 6-8 PM won’t begin until May 7 when the weather warms up. Drop-in doubles will be on Thursday nights, if the Tuesday session is rained out. Drop-in doubles works just like it sounds, just drop in and you will be paired with different partners to play as long as you want.
Tennis Instruction
The instructor from 2023 is not available for lessons this year.
Dave Lawrence is a TPA certified instructor that will offer private lessons this season. People interested in lessons can contact Dave at davidmlawrence2@gmail.com.
Pickleball Schedule 2024
The Club has agreed to have pickleball on the tennis courts again. The town will begin sell pickleball passes ($60) at some point. They expect to begin in May. Only players with pickleball passes are supposed to play on the courts.
This year pickleball play is not permitted during Club scheduled activities. i.e. Sign-up and Drop-in doubles. The pickleball pass-holders will be informed of that change by the Municipality.
The 2024 Parks Strategic Plan recommended outdoor pickleball courts should be built on the existing skate park at the Davidson Center. The Municipality has accepted that recommendation and is waiting for the All Wheels Park to be completed. In order to convert the skate park to pickleball.
The 2024 arrangement is as follows:
- The schedule for pickleball is Tues, Thurs and Sat from 8:30 to 14:30h. Mon, and Wed from 6-8 PM. Pickleball players can’t be bumped during these times.
- Court 3 has two pickleball courts with painted lines.
- The pickleball equipment is stored in a box beside Court 3.
- Passholders will have a code to unlock the net box.
- Tennis Courts 1 and 2 are still available for tennis during these times.
- MOK is entirely responsible for the pickleball program, insurance, and equipment.
- Pickleball players are not tennis club members. Therefore, if pickleball players are on the courts outside of the above times, and there are no courts open, they have to yield to tennis club members, just like non-member tennis players. Therefore, it is a good idea to have your shoe tag with the 2024 label at the courts, in case you have to ask players to vacate a court.
The pickleball schedule was chosen to disrupt tennis as little as possible, based on past playing patterns. The website will display the pickleball schedule. There were some conflicts last year between pickleball players and tennis players. Please report any incidents to the Club executive.
Final Note
Looking forward to better weather in order to shake off the winter rust.
Call or email if you have any questions or comments.
Dean Finlay
519-385-1365