HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-10-18 Public Comment - D. Mavor - Pickleball Dear Bozeman City Commissioners, Dec 10 2018
As a Bozeman pickleball enthusiast, I fully support the Bozeman Pickleball group's efforts to build a
vibrant recreation community by partnering our interests with Bozeman Parks and Recreation
department.
Having lived in Bozeman for 35 years, I am aware that we like to compare our town's growth, amenities
and vibe with other hip mountain towns like Boulder,Colorado, Missoula and Bend, Oregon. It is a
useful exercise in that it allows us a chance to analyze the successes and failures of the various programs
each of our sister cities have undertaken.
I would like to make you aware of the tremendous success story the Bend Pickleball Club has
accomplished in partnership with the Bend Parks and Recreation Department. In less than 15 years,
pickleball has taken over this mountain town that is similar in size and climate to Bozeman.The Bend
Pickleball Club website states that, between public and private facilities,there are now 69 outdoor
courts and 14 indoor courts within a 25 minute drive of town. A new 16 court outdoor facility at Pine
Nursery Park was recently built with both taxpayer funds and private donations. Please note that these
courts are exclusively for Pickleball (not shared with tennis)and the have spurred the development of an
enormous successful and growing recreational community.
Missoula has also strongly embraced Pickleball.According to the Missoula Parks and Recreation website,
there are currently 8 outdoor courts at Playfair Park and 22 new courts recently built at Fort Missoula
Regional Park.
I sincerely hope the Bozeman Parks and Recreation Department will partner with Bozeman Pickleball
enthusiasts to foster the growth of this community building activity.
Doug Mavor
Bozeman, MT
586-3711