Fundraiser puts club step closer to year-round facility

Local pickleball players have shown their passion for the fast-growing sport by raising just over $1 million for their “Raise the Roof’ campaign in just over three weeks.

The project would put a roof over the 12 courts in Marshall Fields, making it a year-round facility.

“Raise the Roof is phase two of the VPA’s vision for the Okanagan Wealth Advisors (OWA) Pickleball Complex to accommodate year-round indoor pickleball play, said a news release from the Vernon Pickleball Association (VPA). “Phase one of the project was completed in August 2018 at a cost of $745,000. The RDNO provided a much-needed grant; the City of Vernon provided a loan, and many VPA members and community partners provided donations and sweat equity to complete phase one.”

Club members will vote in early July on going ahead with the upgrade which could be done by Christmas.

“The goal of raising $1.2 million in a short time frame seemed impossible, but with three investment and donation options presented to members for the future of pickleball in Vernon, an astonishing $1,001,843 has already been pledged” Rob Irving, president of the V.P.A. said.

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In addition, there is a GoFundMe campaign to raise $50,000 toward lighting and electricity for the facility.

“Having a roof enclosure over the 12 courts (and two warm up courts) will make the Vernon OWA Pickleball Complex the largest first-class indoor pickleball facility in Canada,” Irving said. “Vernon will easily become a tournament hub for pickleball, and players from all across the Okanagan and B.C. will no doubt come to Vernon just to enjoy playing pickleball.”

The association has seen fast-paced membership growth which is expected to continue over the coming years, and younger players are actively being sought to take up the sport. Membership is expected to top 500 by the end of 2020.

Click here for more information on the Vernon Pickleball Association and ‘Raise the Roof’.