Pickleball Craze Hits Oklee!

By Mary Lynn Bachand   

Dave Olson, long time Oklee resident, returned from Arizona this spring with a passion for the game of pickleball, and a willingness to share that passion with others by teaching the game to anyone interested in learning the rules.  Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in the United States and can be played by people of all ages and skill levels.  To support the interest in the game, the RLCC/Oklee School provided courts and nets for the game as well as equipment for those who didn’t have paddles.  After a few lessons from Dave, those who gathered at the RLCC/Oklee School on Sunday nights began to appreciate the game like he does, and most of those people quickly purchased their own pickleball paddles!

The door at the school was open on Sunday evenings for anyone who was interested in the game, and the numbers of people who showed up to play began with about 12 and has grown to 20+ active players!  With that kind of enthusiasm for the game, Dave organized an advisory board and plans were set in place to approach the city about resurfacing the tennis courts in Oklee and painting lines for pickleball courts.  With Dave Olson as President of the club, Tracy Hamm, Bobbie Olson and Mary Lynn Bachand have provided back up support as an advisory board for the development of the courts in Oklee.  Funding was secured for resurfacing which took place on May 14th, and several donations were received to allow for the purchase of nets, paddles and balls. Those major donors include the City of Oklee, Oklee Community Club, Dave and Shari Olson, Larry Olson Transportation, Bobbie’s Basement, Ron and Tracy Hamm, David & Mary Lynn Bachand, Stenberg Farms, John & Donna Stenberg-Parkhouse, Abi Kloempken, granddaughter of Dave and Shari Olson, and Connie and Kelly Lundeen.  With those funds available, shortly after the resurfacing, the newly purchased nets were in place and the pickleball players were out on the courts on any given night of the week!  The court will be a dual purpose court with the City of Oklee adding basketball nets when that equipment is received.

As the popularity of the game increases in Oklee, word of mouth and text messages generate enough players with last minute notice to get 3 games going at times on the 3 courts set up at the pickleball location near the south end of town.  People out for a walk have been coaxed to stop and try the game, and they soon joined the pickleball craze that has swept the community and surrounding area!

On June 23rd, a fundraiser pickleball introduction picnic was held, and on a beautiful Sunday evening about 45 people showed up to support the Oklee Pickleball Club!  Money raised from that event will be used to purchase additional equipment and for net replacement as needed.  Currently, the Oklee Pickleball Club has purchased paddles and balls that are stored in a box inside the court area, and they are available to be used by anyone interested in trying their skills at the game.  In addition, Dave will be providing lessons for youth from 7th grade and older on Friday evenings at 7:00 pm.  Sunday evenings have been set aside as a scheduled game night at 6:30 pm, weather permitting.  Everyone is invited to attend and learn to play this fun game!  See you on the pickleball courts!