Over $3,500 was collected for the food bank by the time the last ball landed in the series of four indoor pickleball tournaments hosted since the spring.
The final of four tournaments was held on Aug. 26 at the Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre with 46 participants, wrapping up what has been a successful run of fun. Over 300 pickleballers took to the court in total, about 40 per cent of which played in all four tournaments.
Besides the food bank donations, there were more than $2,000 in cash prizes and gift cards and raffle prizes won by participants. With the sport being highly sociable, the barbecue socials held afterward proved to be a hit.
Organizer Bill Cooper held the first tournament in March and three subsequent ones in June, July, and August.
He says they changed to a round-robin format for the last couple of tournaments and found them to be more popular with the players because they got to play more games.
After a break, indoor play will resume in October during two time blocks set aside Monday to Friday at the SLSFSC. Cooper says the tournaments will also continue.
"It's definitely worthwhile because people come away, especially after having a little social, pretty excited about what goes on for the day," says Cooper.
Some of the participants of the last tournament of the summer enjoyed a social to wrap up the day. (Photo submitted)
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