Dave Thomas - USAPA Ambassador Growing Pickleball in Town of Riga, Churchville, New York
by elizaled on Aug 15, 2019
Dave Thomas - USAPA Ambassador Growing Pickleball in Town of Riga, Churchville, New York
Dave Thomas, USAPA Ambassador and Recreation Supervisor, The Town of Riga, N.Y.
Hello pickleball folks! My name is Dave Thomas and I have been involved with the wonderful game of pickleball since 1983-84. I found out about the game at the New York State Physical Education Conference in Syracuse, New York. I immediately knew that this was an activity that I wanted to introduce to my students. I taught it in my PE classes to children in Grades 3-6 from 1984 until 2005 when I retired. I adjusted my teaching style to the ages of these students. I figure that I taught it to at least 8,000+ students.
After retiring from teaching, I joined our local YMCA and noticed that they were offering a pickleball league. I was SO surprised! I signed up because I had never played with other adults; I just taught it. After starting to play I researched my new activity. I couldn't believe how huge pickleball was in 2006.
I retired and secured a new post-retirement job as Recreation Supervisor for the Town of Riga in Churchville, NY. I put my name in with the USA Pickleball Association (USAPA) and became a USAPA Ambassador for Rochester, New York—the very first one from this area. Within a week I was receiving emails from 'snowbirds' inquiring about outdoor play once they returned. In 2006 there were only 2 pickleball courts in the area at the Westside YMCA on Elmgrove Road in Rochester. I knew we had to try and get others involved, so with the help of many folks we spread the word about pickleball. Thirteen years later, we have indoor & outdoor courts in just about every town in the Rochester, New York area. We've gone from 2 courts in 2006 to over 180 courts in 2019!
New Courts in Town of Riga
Recently, I contacted our New York state senator and asked him if he could support the tiny Village of Churchville, New York in the town of Riga by securing a $50.000 grant to build a 2-court venue. He wholeheartedly agreed, and the pictures you see are the result of this grant.
Before pickleball courts
Town of Riga Highway Department Boxing Out the courts
Town of Riga Highway Dept. rolling out gravel base
First layer of asphalt
Putting second smooth coat of asphalt down
Cutting out for poles
Drilling holes for sleeve installation
Getting ready to cement net post holes
Finished fencing for the court
Starting the Primer coat
Town of Riga 'Super Seal Gang' that painted the courts! A terrific job!
This is how they paint the lines, with a spray can, then followed along with a roller.
Last November they put the final coat of paint on the courts but alas... it did not take as the sun did not shine and the snow ruined it! As soon as we were able to string together 3-4 sunny & 60 degree days, the company came out and repainted.
Poles installed, measured to correct height and ready for the nets
Nets attached, tables in place and ready for the Grand Opening on June 26, 2019
New York State Senator Michael H. Ranzenhofer making the first official serve on the Town of Riga's Pickleball Complex.
After our Grand Opening we were featured on Spectrum New's 'Your Morning Rochester' TV show, Wendy Mills was the host and we had a wonderful time bringing this facility and pickleball to the audience.
Thank you Dave for sharing your story about how you are growing pickleball in the Rochester New York region. Congratulations!
Share Product:
SHARE THIS: