TO 2025 AND BEYOND!

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Just like Buzz Lightyear, we look forward to 2025 as a year closer to achieving our mission.  We look forward to more failures and more closed doors.  They are testaments to our dedication to trying until we succeed.  We hold hope for more pickleball courts, and we pray for expedience, but “the wheels turn, but they turn slowly.”  Once again, our number one goal for the year is securing a site for our facility.  If we achieve this in 2025, we believe we can have a fully functioning facility by 2027.  Our willingness is high, therefore the obstacles are low.

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I want to thank the many members that have paid their dues before expiration.  We absolutely need all our past and future members to support us.  We promise to give you value for your loyalty through clinics, tournaments, member appreciation days, and representing you as an organization.  If you haven’t yet renewed, please do so at your earliest convenience.  For those that are reluctant to use on-line options, you can pay by cash or check to any PAK board member when you see them out on the courts. 

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I just want to give our readers an example of how we are trying to get more courts to play on.  Kauai Community College (KCC) is a part of the University of Hawaii campuses.  It had four full size tennis courts until renovations were completed in 2024 that re-surfaced the courts and converted two tennis courts into six dedicated pickleball courts.  PAK had been in continual talks with the college for more than three years, dating back to a previous Chancellor.  We enlisted the support of State Legislators, University of Hawaii Regents, and Friends of KCC.  Most of our discussions were about making the courts more available for play rather than going through an onerous reservation process every time we used the courts.  The process requires expensive procurement of liability insurance, a lengthy application and approval process, and payment of additional facility fees.  We were successful in impressing upon administration the need for pickleball courts, as evidenced by the dedicated courts, but not in breaking the barriers for use.  The previous Chancellor has retired, the Legislators have changed, the Regents have been busy appointing a new University President.  There is a new Chancellor at KCC.  There is a new President at UH.  There is a new UH Facility Use Director at UH, and the old KCC Facility Director has retired, as well as his assistant.  A recent meeting with the new KCC officials revealed that new regulations are being drafted, new fees (higher) are eminent, and that it is likely our ask for weekend and Holiday play will be limited to some Saturdays only, as the campus is “closed” on Sundays.  Essentially, the issue is probably dead, and the courts will continue to be locked and unused 95% of the time.  We have been promised a follow-up “sometime in 2025”.  Experience has taught us that we should not risk asphyxiation by holding our breath for a positive outcome. 

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From all of your Directors and Officers of PAK, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

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Until next month,

Nolan​​​