Determined to expand pickleball throughout their community, Bloomington Pickleball Club (BPC), based out of Ellettsville, Indiana, has committed itself to intentional and regular engagement with their local resources to maximize their impact on the area. Civic engagement itself is viewed as “pivotal for BPC as it aligns with [their] core values of promoting health, fitness, and social connectivity through pickleball,” says Dave Martin, Chair of the Board and a Co-Founder of BPC. Martin leads an excellent team of passionate and active board members, along with a dedicated club membership, to cultivate deep relationships within the community and execute their goals. While everyone involved with the club is responsible for the club’s civic engagement efforts to an extent, the BPC maintains a Partnership and Outreach Committee that is specifically tasked with “collaborat[ing] closely with local organizations, businesses, and government entities to maximize the impact of [their] initiatives.” Through their multi-pronged approach, BPC strives to introduce the sport to a wider audience in addition to fostering a greater sense of belonging within the community. BPC seeks to establish pickleball as an integral tenant of the local lifestyle and embolden participation from all walks of life.
In particular, BPC’s pursuit of a partnership with the Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department “mark[s] a significant milestone towards enhancing the pickleball experience in [their] community.” In recent months, BPC has participated in several pointed meetings with the Parks Department to discuss how the two entities can support one another’s mutually shared goals. Currently, their primary goal is to convert existing tennis courts in the area into dedicated pickleball courts outfitted with amenities and improved facilities. To accomplish this project, “BPC has proposed a structured contribution plan for court maintenance and enhancements, reflecting [their] proactive stance on sustainability and community development.” Driven by community feedback, BPC advocates with the Parks Department for increased pickleball infrastructure. As such, the club continues to organize “events, clinics, and training sessions that cater to a wide audience” to promote the need for additional dedicated pickleball resources.
Martin maintains a clear vision for how BPC’s civic engagement supports the club’s mission and lays out three ways in which their resource expenditure with regard to civic engagement is beneficial to the club and its members.
Fostering Community Well-being: Through clinics, workshops, and tournaments, BPC promotes physical and mental health, contributing significantly to the community’s overall well-being.
Strengthening Community Ties: Collaborating with local organizations and businesses strengthens the club’s ties with the community, enhancing its role as a community leader in promoting health and wellness.
Increasing Visibility and Accessibility: Organizing public events and demonstrations introduces pickleball to a broader demographic, helping to break down barriers to entry and making the sport more accessible to everyone.
BPC’s civic engagement vision lends itself to several tangible goals for the club, to include making pickleball accessible for all community members and utilizing the sport to enhance community well-being. They also aim to establish strong partnerships with local entities in order to amplify the impact of the sport in the surrounding areas they may not be able to reach without the additional support. Finally, they hope to create a standing within the community in which BPC is regarded as a “leader in promoting health and wellness through sports.”
The way in which BPC executes their vision is clearly connected to the growth of pickleball in the Bloomington area and allows the club to benefit as well. Firstly, this type of civic engagement drives membership growth by increasing the visibility of the club and displaying the inclusivity and fun of the sport. Through their work in the community, BPC expands both their reach and influence. Moreover, working with local partners enhances the club’s reputation. Martin strongly believes that “positive community involvement builds the club’s reputation as a proactive, inclusive, and vital part of the community, attracting support and partnerships.” As a result, local organizations and businesses are more enticed to create productive relationships with BPC that create opportunities for growth and infrastructure for pickleball.
One of the ways in which BPC executes their vision for civic engagement is by presenting at City Hall meetings and collaborating with community organizations. To prepare for these discussions, club stakeholders gather relevant “data on community needs, potential impacts of proposed projects, and success stories from previous engagements.” Martin highlights the importance of diligently following up on these important conversations to ensure all parties are on the same page and able to accomplish their taskings. After a City Hall meeting and other civic engagement discussions, BPC maintains continuous dialogue with their partners and works to assess outcomes of initiatives while planning future collaboration.
Moving forward, BPC intends to pursue partnerships with the city, county, and other local businesses and organizations that “explore innovative solutions to promote pickleball, including public-private ventures and enhancements to [their] online presence.” As a cornerstone of BPC’s mission, civic engagement reflects the club’s commitment to the growth of the sport and their contribution to the community’s health and cohesion. Through these initiatives, BPC hopes to not only provide additional pickleball access and resources for members, but also improve the local sports landscape as a whole.
