HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-04-24 Public Comment - F. Seitz - South 5th Pickleball CamaraderieFrom:Frank Seitz
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]South 5th Pickleball Camaraderie
Date:Thursday, October 3, 2024 10:42:10 AM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you
recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Mitch Overton, Director of Parks and Recreation, Jamie Saitta, Recreation Program Manager, Chuck Winn, City Manager
Bozeman City Commissioners
Greetings, Bozeman Leadership!
This letter is about a strangely-named sport which has become the vehicle for
enduring community relationships. My wife and I savor our thirty-plus member
pickleball group. Following our playing Tuesday and Thursday morning at 9:00
until 10:30 at the South Fifth Tennis Courts, another group our size plays from
10:30 to 12:.00.
We laugh, joke, sweat and tease, supporting each other personally both on and
off the courts (and have done so at the South 5th courts for the past ten years).
Clearly, our friendships transcend this game of Ping-Pong paddles and holey
balls. Over the years we’ve become bonded in a manner that strengthens
ourselves as well as our community.
The problem: Apparently a decision has been made to resurface the 5th Street
Courts, and NOT stripe them for pickleball. This would deliver a killer-blow to
our groups and others, including the New-Comer Group which numbers well
above 50 members.
Given the rule restrictions at Bogert Park and the deluge of individual players
using it throughout the entire day, there is never anytime for our groups to
play there. Bogert has become a cattle chute for individual play, lining up one’s
paddle in a rack and getting paired up with whoever’s paddle is next. Imagine a
group of 16 players trying to do that. Imagine the chaos, disgruntled players,
and nasty spin-off from such an arrangement. It simply does not work.
The solution: Stripe the South 5th Courts for pickleball, as well as tennis, and
allowing both to share the courts as we do now. As Plato probably said, “If it
ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
Further good news: I will commit to seeing that the cost of the striping at the
South 5th for pickleball courts will be paid for privately, and at no cost to the
city.
Paying for such an arrangement is “small potatoes,” compared with the huge
benefit it will provide to some of the nicest people you will ever meet.
Many thanks for you reconsidering your decision.
Frank C. Seitz
Emeritus Member- Bozeman Pickleball Committee