Alpine Bank and the J Robert Young Foundation have joined forces with a host of community-minded residents to fund and build the first and only tournament-ready pickleball courts in the Roaring Fork Valley. The Town of Carbondale has provided the 11,000-sq.-ft. parcel in North Face Park adjacent to the existing dual-purpose tennis/pickleball courts.
Roaring Fork Pickleball Association (RFPA) Campaign Finance Chair Jim Noyes says, “These courts will be a great asset for Carbondale and the valley in so many ways. While pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the world, it has stagnated here due to the lack of court access. That obstacle
goes away. In addition, with a total of 12 usable courts, Carbondale can host tournaments that will bring people from all over the West to town.”
“We are already planning a three-day Grand Opening event in June, 2020. We can invite local school kids, disabled athletes and seniors to come and play this unique sport….a sport that is easy to learn, but takes forever to master and one that provides social interaction and community along the way,” Noyes says.
While planning and design have been going on for some time, construction just began in late August The plan is to pour the concrete court this fall for play next spring.
Noyes adds, “This project required a lot of collaboration. We started with no land, no money and a whole bunch of other town priorities. RFPA committed to raising the entire $275,000 needed and a host of River Valley Ranch residents kickstarted the fundraising with $90,000 of pledges. Parks & Rec came up with a quarter-acre at North Face, the Trustees blessed the plan, and we were off and running just last spring.”
Local architect Jeff Dickinson provided essential upfront design input “pro bono”, and builder Jeff Wadley has done the same as the Owner’s Rep for the town…essential collaboration.
On September 12, the Carbondale Trustees approved a petition that the courts be named “Young-Calaway Alpine Bank Pickleball Courts” to honor the legendary philanthropists who have contributed so much to Carbondale and the Roaring Fork Valley. RFPA’s past President Cilla Dickinson said, “We knew this was going to take a village and a bank to get done. We also knew, or at least hoped, that we could muster enough enthusiasm and financial support to build these without dipping into the town’s limited funds. On behalf of everyone involved, RFPA players and others, we take a great deal of satisfaction in being able to provide this terrific asset to the greater community.”
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