Thanks to all of you that took the time to provide feedback in the survey regarding the 2020 Palmetto Indoor Tournament. After review of the survey results and consideration of the uncertainties associated with these unprecedented times, the tournament leadership team and the City of Aiken Parks, Recreation, and Tourism have decided that hosting the tournament this year is not feasible due to reduced/limited participation and the probable negative outcome of hosting a tournament that falls short of the previous success that the Palmetto tournament has been known for. We fully expect to host the tournament in 2021, when things return to normal, and hope that we can organize a local round robin event to feed everyone’s thirst for competition before then.
Aiken Pickleball News
Lots of new items on the calendar for Odell Weeks in August.
Evening play on Fridays, August 21 and 28, until 8:45pm
Lessons with Mo and Megan. Four slots available each Friday starting at 1115am. Contact your favorite instructor to sign up.
Over half of the time slots for August have been extended to 1 hour 45 minutes or 2 hours.
Thursday morning after 8am, you can make up to three (3) court reservations; one additional one on Friday; and from Saturday on whatever is available. The only restriction - they cannot be at the same time on the same day. The reservation must include at least one other player (first initial, last name). A maximum of 6 players are allowed on or beside each court. If anyone needs help making or editing a court reservation contact George Carr for assistance - gfcarr146hr@gmail.com.
The last group scheduled for each court needs to take the nets down and put them and dividers away. Don't forget to wear a face mask when entering and exiting the building and remember to have fun.
On Monday, June 1st, Odell Weeks re-opened for indoor play - court reservations only - just one of the many safeguards they implemented for our safety. Odell changed the entrance to the one adjacent to Gym 2. They moved the check-in desk into the lobby by the bulletin board, with Jeana behind a plexiglass divider. Only Gym 2 and the mens and ladies room were open. The courts open for play were staggered so there was no interaction between other players. No extra players were permitted. Times were spaced out so between reservations the staff could wipe down the four chairs on each court. The entire Odell facifilty was dedicated to pickleball from 9am-3:45pm. Odell has done everything they could to provide a safe environment for us to play pickleball indoors. One group of players even wore masks while playing. They had to feel safer than shopping at Publix.
As the reservations got off the a slow start, individual players were allowed to make additional reservations for the week. Only two players took advantage of this. For next week, this Thursday morning at approximately 8am, players will be able to make two court reservations, and a third reservation Friday morning - same as for this week. Depending on the demand at the sign-up for courts for the week of June 8, we may also loosen the restrictions for that week. Odell has just approved allowing a maximum of five players per court effective immediately. With the facility just reopening, the City representative also stated that they will revisit the reservation spreadsheet in a few weeks. The hope is that more people will come out to play Pickleball over a period of time as they feel more comfortable.
Due to low demand for the indoor courts at Odell Weeks for the week of June 1, players will be allowed to add reservations for an unlimited number of days for this week only. Depending on the demand at the sign-up for courts for the week of June 8, we may also loosen the restrictions for that week. As for the sign-up on June 4, though, players may still reserve/play on only two courts per week and reserve one additional court the morning of June 5.
The outdoor courts will be unlocked sunrise to sunset (approximately 7 AM - 8 PM)
Select "Read more" to see photos of players in action on reopenng day at Odell and Eustis Park
Reopening day at Odell 5/30/2020
Reopening day at Eustis Park 5/30/2020
