About

The purpose of Alle-Kiski Pickleball Inc is to promote the sport of pickleball within our community by providing a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive environment for players of all ages and skill levels. Our club aims to:

1. Encourage Physical Activity: Foster a healthy lifestyle through regular participation in pickleball.

2. Build Community: Create opportunities for social interaction and community building among members.

3. Facilitate Skill Development: Offer coaching, clinics, and resources to help members improve their skills and knowledge of the game.

4. Organize Events: Host games, leagues, tournaments, and social events to enhance member engagement and enjoyment.

5. Promote Inclusivity: Ensure an inclusive environment that welcomes players of diverse backgrounds and abilities.

6. Support Youth Engagement: Develop programs to introduce and engage young players in the sport.

7. Advocate for the Sport: Raise awareness and support the growth and development of pickleball locally and beyond.

8. Provide Access to Facilities: Ensure members have access to well-maintained courts and necessary equipment.

9. Fundraising and Sponsorship: Secure funding and sponsorships to support club activities and community outreach.

Our mission is to enhance the physical, social, and mental well-being of our members through the joy and camaraderie of pickleball.

History

Then 2022

The “Pickleball is Coming to Freeport Park” initiative all started with a conversation among a small group of local residents lamenting about the absence of dedicated outdoor pickleball courts in the Alle-Kiski Valley. Pickleball was fast becoming the most popular sport in the USA and courts were being built all around them, but all were at least a 30 minute drive from the area. The group thought, “Why not us?” and decided to create Alle-Kiski Pickleball Inc., (AKP)

in April 2022 to start the process of realizing their dream.

As luck would have it, the small makeshift committee just happened to include an individual with a legal background, another with deep connections to the family who owned Freeport Community Park, one with previous bookkeeping skills, several with extensive community/business and nonprofit organization contact, participants from Freeport Area School District and those who were willing to spearhead the fundraising effort. It was almost as if the dream was “meant to be”!

At that point, the challenges were several including: convincing the Board of Directors of Freeport Community Park that the privately owned park was the ideal site for the addition of pickleball courts; selling the abstract “idea” to potential donors (both corporate & local individuals), to raise the estimated $70,000 cost for 6 courts and, finally, hiring contractors and overseeing the actual construction of the courts. 

Once FCP agreed to lease the site to AKP, a Facebook page was created to connect with pickleball enthusiasts in the area, a GoFundMe page was set up to accept donations and then committee members started soliciting potential donors. Once again, these connections seemed fortuitous. Financial support came from near and far. Locally, Alle-Kiski Health Foundation, Hallman Insurance Agency, Lutz & Pawk & Black, NexTier Bank and Baird Wealth Management came onboard to sponsor naming rights to the courts. And from as far away as San Diego, California Gearbox Sports, an internationally known sports equipment company whose mission it is to create pickleball opportunities where they don’t exist, came up big by becoming a court sponsor, donating 6 permanent pickleball nets and by providing an annual supply of outdoor 

Gearbox pickleballs for use at events. 

2023

The court construction phase was definitely a learning experience for the AKP Committee as the members had little or no knowledge in this area. But with extensive research, negotiations with contractors and navigating the constant challenges arising during construction the “idea” actually became a reality. Avid local pickleball players who had been playing at FCP on two bumpy asphalt tennis courts lined for pickleball, began to set up temporary pickleball nets on the designated area on a daily basis. They eagerly awaited the completion of the dedicated pickleball courts. Once construction started in August, the courts sprang up as if out of nowhere.

The Grand Opening was held in October of that year and was officially open to the public.

Clearly to the Committee, and to all of the community members who flock to the courts,  the AKP pickleball venue is definitely the “Gem of the Park”.  It is, and will continue to be tangible proof of the power of pickleball and its ability to bring people of all ages, backgrounds and athletic ability together. We did it!

Now 2024

AKP offers annual individual membership and currently has approximately 150 members.

Membership fees contribute to the maintenance and development of the site and Members are afforded priority play time, complimentary beginner sessions and discounted entry to AKP’s competitive, recreational and social events. NonMembers are also afforded ample opportunities to utilize the courts and welcome to participate in all AKP sponsored events.

The Alle-Kiski Pickleball facebook page currently has approximately 600 followers and the Team Reach app is being utilized to schedule play times and announce events.  As of June of 2024, there have been Mixed Doubles Leagues, Men’s and Women’s Tournaments, numerous beginner sessions offered and the hosting of a field trip for elementary students from Freeport Area School District.

AKP recently was awarded 501(c)(3) status as a tax-exempt nonprofit organization.

2024 and Beyond

The AKP Committee and Members have now set their sights on a goal of installing professional grade lighting to the venue and is currently fundraising to realize that goal and continues to accept donations toward their “Let’s Light It Up” on their GoFundMe site.