1/19/2023 Good evening everyone! I just want to give you an update on the possibility of an Indoor pickleball facility in Hickory. Yesterday I had lunch with the two gentlemen who are hoping to create an indoor pickleball facility in Hickory. We had a fantastic hour and a half discussion about the project and then went to Westmont and played pickleball for about an hour and a half. Their enthusiasm and excitement for getting this project off the ground immediately is truly unbelievable. They would have loved to see this facility up and running yesterday! From our discussions, I feel they are incredible men as well, who want to see the sport of pickleball thrive - not only here but throughout the US. They were upfront and honest about their vision and what they would like to have, and see, at this facility! I honestly enjoyed every minute talking with them about pickleball, their vision for this project, their families, their backgrounds, as well as many other topics we discussed. I'm timid and shy when I talk to most adults (guess that's why I'm a teacher of 7th graders), but I felt very at ease talking with them. Over the next couple of weeks they are going to be working with the realtor as well as the owner of the property to see if they can come to terms everyone can agree on. I will know more at that point in regards to if the project will be happening as well as the time frame of the project. I cannot stress enough, they want this project to become a reality! I did ask them several of the questions you sent me. Please know that since this is in the very early stages of the project (they just saw this property for the first time yesterday), some of the questions you've asked won't be finalized until right before the facility opens, and some of these answers could possibly change. 1) Where is it located? I do not want to give out this information right now since the purchase of the property hasn't taken place. If/When the purchase for this property does take place, I'll gladly explain where it is located at that time. I will say that I feel like the property they are looking at is in a great location! 2) Will there be discounts for families, spouses, seniors, and youth? They said yes, they plan on having some type of discount for those groups as well as first responders. 3) Is there a pay to play option? They are anticipating some type of pay to play option but how much, for how long, and the availability of that option could depend on the number of members and the demand for the courts. 4) Are the nets permanent? Yes, the nets are definitely permanent. 5) Will there be different courts assigned for different skill levels? Yes, their hope is to have specific courts geared towards certain ability levels. 6) What are the expected hours that it will be open? Currently they are thinking about 8am-10pm during the week and possibly 8am-8pm on weekends. Again, although they are looking to get this project started very soon, some of the details will be ironed out closer to the completion of the facility! I know some of you had mentioned price as a concern to becoming a member. I discussed that with them and they said they would take a look at their pricing plan closer to when the project is completed and see what adjustments might need to be made. They originally wanted to start with 20 pickleball courts at the facility, but due to some unforeseen (unmentioned by the realtor) issues, they may need to start out with 10 courts and grow that number of courts as they are able to do so. Listening to them talk about their vision, their love for the sport, their desire to see players enjoying the sport, their hope that pickleball continues to grow, seeing them enjoy playing the sport, and their want to be a part of our pickleball community, made me feel like they really want to see this come to fruition and help our rapidly growing pickleball family any way they possibly can. I'm glad that they were able to go out to Westmont after we talked, meet many of you,and see the enjoyment our pickleball family gets from playing the sport as well as socializing with one another. I know that made a larger impact on them than anything I could have possibly said in our meeting. I'm also thankful that many of you had an opportunity to talk with them in order to hear their vision for yourself and to express possible concerns you have with the project. I know they were thoroughly impressed by the City of Hickory, the level of everyone's play yesterday, and the friendliness of our pickleball family! Again, this is extremely early in the vision they have for this facility, so please be patient and I will update you with any and all information I receive. I hope everyone has had a fantastic start to the New Year and is getting to play a lot of pickleball. Have a fantastic evening!