New Vernon sports facility shows power of volunteers working together

What started as a dream by Don Friesen five years ago is now a very positive reality for the Vernon Pickleball Association.

The 500-member club is celebrating the completion of the Okanagan Wealth Advisors Pickleball Complex at Marshall Field as part of National Volunteer Week April 18–24, which has a theme of ‘The Value of One, The Power of Many.’

“This theme embodies the Vernon Pickleball Association (VPA) membership as a whole, and the monumental work that has been accomplished this past year with the completion of the Okanagan Wealth Advisors Pickleball Complex at Marshall Field. One VPA member, Don Friesen, was the driver behind this project, and deserves special recognition,” a news release from the association stated.

“Don Friesen’s dream of a 12-court enclosed pickleball facility in Vernon began five years ago and now, under his volunteer management, expertise and direction is an amazing reality,” Patricia Andrews, VPA President, said. “The building is nothing short of impressive, spectacular and breath-taking when you enter. Imagine working from a lift, five stories high in freezing temperatures to install heaters and fans and 32 km wiring. It was an incredible sight to behold!”

Don Friesen at the Okanagan Wealth Advisors Pickleball Complex at Marshall Field. (Photo credit: Wayne Emde)

The club said the project is an example of extraordinary teamwork made possible by the many VPA volunteers, coordinated by Friesen, who brought their relevant skills, expertise, and financial support.

“An endless number of volunteer hours contributed to the success of this project, but Don’s volunteer commitment and dedication over the years has been truly outstanding and, as many would agree, it would not have happened without his perseverance.”

Friesen has lived and worked in Vernon since 1986 and before retiring was a lumber mill owner. He started playing pickleball eight years ago, and along with some of the other Vernon pickleball pioneers, believed that the sport was going to take off.

“If I start something, I’m going to finish it, and I knew five years ago when the idea began that the design and intention was to have a covered facility,” Friesen commented. “For me, the best days are when I see the courts are full and everyone is happy and playing pickleball.”

People who use the pickleball complex will have perfect playing conditions all year round.

“There are 12 courts with perimeter fencing and gates between the courts and to the central walkway. It is a facility the VPA is extremely proud of as it will serve the Greater Vernon area and the Okanagan for years to come for players of all levels to enjoy,” the news release stated.

The opening date of the OWA Pickleball Complex has not yet been announced, but when open will be following the BC Provincial Health Orders for adult sport.

For more information, go to the VPA website: www.vernonpickleball.com.

To learn about National Volunteer week, visit here: https://volunteer.ca/nvw2014