Pickleball Takes Off in Drumheller: Throughout the summer months, visitors to the tennis courts at Drumheller Valley Secondary School (DVSS) have frequently encountered a transformed landscape: a court set up for pickleball. This rising sport has found a welcoming home in the Drumheller Valley, drawing in players of all ages and skill levels.
Drumheller Pickleball Association
With the sport’s rapid growth, the need for organization became apparent. Wayne Powell, the newly elected president of the Drumheller Pickleball Association, expressed the enthusiasm driving this initiative.
“We decided to formalize a club and we are going to make it a non-for-profit society. It gives us the ability to raise money if we want and gives us that formal structure so we can prepare the future for players here.” – (Wayne Powell)
The essence of the association is to create an inclusive environment for all pickleball players.
“The growth is coming. Since I arrived back in the valley, about three years ago, we’ve probably increased about 20 percent. It isn’t a huge growth, but we are seeing many more people asking about it. We’re seeing little groups that are playing by themselves and we’re thinking that we can provide this container where people can get more training, more coaching. It is really important because we are a really welcoming group.” – (Wayne Powell)
Opportunities for All
The association embraces pickleball players of varying abilities, from beginners to seasoned competitors.
“We have approximately 50 and about 35 play very regular. We are 40 percent female, so it is truly a coed sport.” – (Wayne Powell)
For those new to the pickleball game, he assures that the learning curve is relatively short, particularly for individuals with experience in racquet sports.
News in Brief: Pickleball Takes Off in Drumheller
Pickleball is rapidly gaining popularity in Drumheller, with many players enjoying the game at the DVSS tennis courts and the Badlands Community Facility. To support this growth, Wayne Powell has helped establish the Drumheller Pickleball Association as a non-profit organization.
The association currently has over 30 active members and is focused on providing training and a welcoming environment for pickleball players of all skill levels.
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