Happy New Year - from our club President

Happy New Year, I wanted to let you know what's happening with the Pickleball Club as we go into 2024 and remind everyone of some of the Sun City rules that we need to abide with.

Club Financials
I've attached our club register so you can see the club's financial position.  As described throughout last year, if we would like improvements to our courts we as a club are being asked to fund these changes.   This has been requested of all clubs/groups in order to keep SCHH overall CAM fees at a minimum.  
You'll see we have 99,244.13 in our main account with 65,000 being held in CD's for their favorable interest.  We also have $8977.32 in the tournament account.   We're expecting to spend $40,000 to replace the lights on courts 7-14 in the first quarter. 

Membership
We currently have 1437 members with approximately 300 who have not renewed.  An email will be sent directly to those 300 this week as we will be purging them from the roster and the listserv next week. If you do NOT receive a direct email from Cheryl Crouse, our membership director, your renewal is in place.

Website communication
We actively update our club website with relevant information like the following.  
When in doubt, check the website!!  SCHHPICKLEBALLCLUB.COM

Ball Machine
The club has a ball machine (and balls) that are available for individual use.

Upcoming lottery dates
(permanent court reservation that occurs twice per year) 

Feb 7    Note to the club with the lottery rules link to the form to create your teams
Mar 6    Final date to submit a team
Mar 13  Reservation draw
Apr 29   Semester start
Oct 27   Semester end

Lottery rule change
Individual players will be limited to 2 lottery GROUPS.   Groups are able to play 3 times per week.  (please note: this has since changed per newer update news 1/28/24)

Based on past lotteries this accommodates the vast majority of players and addresses the #1 concern expressed during the survey last year
Lottery play is limited to club members. The lottery is considered a club event and as such should abide by the Sun City Clubs and Groups bylaws.

Guests are able to attend club events up to 3 times before being required to join the club.  Non residents are not able to join the club.
Court utilization balance

As we move into 2024 we are looking to ensure we have a balance of play between permanent reservations, open play, and open reservations. Our goal is to ensure all club members are accommodated while adhering to the Sun City CA policies. We're also planning for the eventual arrival of the East Argent amenities.   As of today there is no official answer as to what that will entail.

Training Policy
Sun City is a not for profit community organization.  As such we must abide by specific tax regulations.  Two specific rules are called out in the Community Schedule of fees. "Members are prohibited from profiting financially or by any other means using their Community Association membership for use of the Association facilities."  and  "Pickleball instruction on all Association property shall be taught by Sun City Hilton Head Community Association staff and/or community approved contractors only."  

In order to be in compliance with these rules, we have created a club policy for those who would like to volunteer their time to provide training on the association facilities. The club will assign time to the trainer based on the policy which is available on the club website.  Ultimately, any coaching that involves payment has to be approved by the CA or the Club.

Other items of interest...

• There have been several calls to me and to the Logo building regarding people using someone else's CAM# to reserve courts.  Please ENSURE you have permission to use someone's number before making a reservation.
• Pets should NOT be on the courts,  there are multiple dog parks around Sun City for off leash play.
• Bicycles are NOT to be ridden on the sidewalks at the facilities, and should be stored in the bike rack.   We're working to get another bike rack by court 14.
• The CA has a no solicitation policy.  We're not allowed to use our listserver to solicit for non club activities.
• There will be a t-shirt sale prior to the upcoming LCPC.   Watch for an email (and it will be on the website).
• We attempt to keep one roller and 1 broom for every court.  If you use a roller / broom from another court, please return it to it's original court.   That helps us keep track of damaged / missing equipment.
• If you see a net / windscreen issue  send an email to [email protected].   That creates a work order for the CA to repair the screen's and nets.

See you on the courts