Pickleball fans, mark your calendars! PickleCon 2025 is returning August 7–10 at the Kansas City Convention Center—and we’d love to see a strong Bloomington Pickleball Club (BPC) presence at this year’s unforgettable event.
Whether you’re a seasoned player, a social rec enthusiast, or just love being part of the pickleball energy, PickleCon offers something for everyone. This massive celebration of the sport features:
✅ 80+ Courts for Open Play ✅ Pro Panels and coaching insights ✅ Vendor Village with top brands and demos ✅ Glow-in-the-Dark Kickoff Party ✅ Tournaments for all skill levels (separate registration) ✅ Puppy Yoga, giveaways, games, and much more!
🎟️ Choose from a Player Pass (includes court access) or Spectator Pass (ideal for fans and families). You can attend for a single day or make it a full weekend experience.
🌟 Highlights from Last Year
In 2024, several of our BPC members attended PickleCon’s inaugural year—and they left energized, inspired, and with Selkirk gear in hand! 🎁
We even brought home demo paddles, made national connections, and participated in live Q&A sessions with pros and major brands.
This year promises to be even bigger, and with a few complimentary passes donated by Triple Crown Sports, we’ll be organizing a group of BPC members to attend together.
📸 See the Fun
Thanks to Jessie Hill from Triple Crown Sports, we have a photo album from last year to give you a taste of the experience: 📷 View the 2024 PickleCon Photo Gallery
💬 Interested in Going?
If you’re interested in joining the BPC crew at PickleCon, let us know! We’ll help coordinate carpooling, hotel options, and registration tips. Some members are even volunteering to earn free passes. 🎟️ Volunteer info here: picklecon.com/volunteer-opportunities
The Bloomington Pickleball Club (BPC) has had an incredible year of growth, community engagement, and strategic planning. As we close out the year, let’s take a look back at the key events, accomplishments, and decisions that have shaped the club’s success, as well as what lies ahead.
Key Events and Milestones
January – April 2024
Renewed the club’s general liability insurance policy.
Began the transition from Wild Apricot to CourtReserve for membership and event management.
Initiated discussions to revise the club’s bylaws to reflect the needs of its growing membership.
Secured sponsorships from Shine, Simtra, and gift cards from Pizza X, Soma, & Village Deli.
Launched ladder events at RCA Park.
Dave Martin, Chair of the Board, became AED and CPR certified.
June 2024
Transitioned fully to CourtReserve for membership and event coordination.
Financial reserves increased to $10,300, supporting key initiatives like court improvements and the Doug Kenfield memorial bench.
Summer 2024
Ladder events averaged 21 participants, with revenue close to surpassing the prior year’s total.
Addressed challenges with walk-up players attempting to join events without prior registration.
September 2024
Added new board members: Susan Cooper, Jodee Smith, Matt Slatkin, Brent Litzer, and Bob Costello.
Ended the partnership with The Crimson Pickle and began running events independently through CourtReserve.
Membership grew to 100 Premium, 18 Student, and 90 Community (Free) members.
November – December 2024
Established a Finance Committee chaired by Kyle Parker to enhance financial oversight.
Approved continued ladder events through winter at The Crimson Pickle with increased fees to ensure financial sustainability.
Dave Martin announced his intention to step down as Chair of the Board at the end of 2024.
Key Accomplishments in 2024
Membership Growth:
Membership increased across all tiers, reaching 100 premium members.
Financial Health:
Despite challenges, the club maintained a strong financial position, with sponsorships and strategic event planning boosting revenue.
Community Engagement:
Participated in local events like the 50+ Expo and Get Outdoors Day, strengthening ties with the community.
Event Success:
Successfully organized ladder events, community gatherings, and social mixers to foster camaraderie and grow the sport.
Partnerships:
Built strong relationships with Bloomington Parks & Recreation, Monroe County Parks & Rec, and local businesses like One World Enterprises.
Infrastructure Improvements:
Advocated for better court conditions and installed a memorial bench honoring Doug Kenfield.
Looking Ahead: Challenges and Future Plans
As the Bloomington Pickleball Club gears up for 2025, several action items and opportunities lie ahead:
Strategic Planning:
A strategic planning session is scheduled for January 22, 2025, at the Monroe County Public Library. Members are encouraged to share their input through a pre-meeting survey.
Membership Structure:
The board is exploring new membership tiers and benefits, including family plans, automated renewals, and exclusive events.
Financial Sustainability:
Efforts are underway to resolve financial losses from ladder events, with plans to introduce prepaid passes and adjust event fees.
Volunteer Development:
Clear guidelines for volunteers will be developed to ensure smooth event operations.
Facility Enhancements:
The club remains committed to improving court conditions and advocating for additional pickleball facilities in Bloomington.
Thank You for an Amazing Year!
The Bloomington Pickleball Club’s success wouldn’t be possible without the dedication of our members, volunteers, and partners. Thank you for making 2024 a year to remember!
As we plan for the future, your involvement is more important than ever. Join us at the upcoming strategic planning session or share your ideas to help shape the next chapter of our journey.
Let’s continue to grow the sport of pickleball and strengthen our community together in 2025!
Pickleball enthusiasts from all over the country gathered in Kansas City, Missouri, for the inaugural PickleCon event, and our very own Bloomington Pickleball Club (BPC) members were right in the mix, representing Bloomington with pride! Heather Kinderthain, Dave Martin, and Timber Tucker all had incredible experiences at this groundbreaking event.
Heather Kinderthain’s Weekend to Remember
Heather attended the event with her close friend Kate Grossman Staltari, and it turned out to be a weekend full of fun, competition, and unforgettable memories. From the moment Heather and Kate arrived at PickleCon, they were surrounded by like-minded pickleball lovers. The event was a vibrant celebration of the sport, featuring everything from tournaments to glow-in-the-dark games, and even a variety of vendor booths offering the latest in pickleball gear.
One of the highlights of Heather’s weekend was participating in the women’s 3.0 tournament, where she and her partner put up a stellar performance and secured 2nd place! The excitement of standing on the podium with their paddles held high was a moment Heather won’t soon forget.
When they weren’t on the courts, Heather and Kate explored Kansas City in style. They visited three different restaurants, each featuring pickleball courts, allowing them to indulge in delicious food while playing their favorite sport. They even took the opportunity to ride Bird scooters around the city, adding a bit of adventure to their trip.
The glow-in-the-dark tournament was another unique experience, where the courts were lit up in neon colors, creating a fun and vibrant atmosphere that only added to the thrill of the game.
Heather mentioned how wonderful it was to meet so many new people who shared her passion for pickleball. The event was not just about competition but also about community and connection. Heather’s Facebook post reflected her joy in being able to share these moments with her oldest and dearest friend, making the event even more special.
As Heather reflects on her time at PickleCon, she’s already looking forward to next year’s event. The excitement, camaraderie, and pure joy of being surrounded by fellow pickleball lovers have left a lasting impression on her.
Dave Martin’s PickleCon Highlights
In addition to Heather’s success, Dave Martin also had a fantastic time at PickleCon. Dave won a social media contest from Pickleball Club Magazine, earning two Player Passes to PickleCon. Upon request, they graciously added a third pass, allowing Dave to attend with his son—an active-duty Army member stationed at Ft. Riley, Kansas—and his wife Haylee.
The weekend turned out to be a winning one for the Martin family. Haylee won not one, but two Selkirk paddles, each valued at $249.99, along with Selkirk Dry Fit hats for all three of them. Beyond the prizes, Dave had the opportunity to network with key figures in the pickleball community, including Susan Swern from Pickleball for Good Fund, Troy Aikan from EcoSports, and Bethany Owens from CourtReserve, the platform that our club has recently transitioned to.
Dave’s experience at PickleCon wasn’t just about enjoying the event; it was also a chance to build connections and bring back valuable insights and contacts that could benefit the Bloomington Pickleball Club.
Timber Tucker’s Role at PickleCon
Another highlight for the BPC was Timber Tucker’s participation in the college pickleball panel at PickleCon. Timber was honored to be part of this discussion, where he had the opportunity to represent his new Six Zero Pickleball Ruby Paddle. Timber shared that he learned a great deal from the other panelists and was proud to represent our club in such a meaningful way.
Looking Ahead to Next Year
Heather, Dave, and Timber’s experiences at PickleCon are testaments to the vibrant and welcoming community that pickleball creates. We’re proud to have members like them representing the Bloomington Pickleball Club on such a grand stage. Congratulations on all your successes! We can’t wait to see what the future holds for you all and for our entire club.
Our annual member meeting buzzed with ideas and celebration, complemented by delicious Papa John’s pizza.
We honored outstanding members – Paul Ertel won Best Attendance, Patrick Counts took home the Community Spirit Award, Steven Jackson was named Volunteer of the Year, and Timber Tucker received the Leadership award.
