Winter 2024 Edition

Contents

If you are not aware, the only funding source for all of Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District #2 is a levy that needs to be renewed every six years. The next renewal is scheduled for Tuesday, February 13.

Ballots are now going out via mail to every registered voter in the Blaine and Birch Bay area. With this ballot, you will be asked to renew the funding for BBBPRD2.

What is the levy?

The Park and Recreation District (aka, Birch Bay Activity Center) operates with funding from a levy. Everyone in the Blaine and Birch Bay area has been paying this levy for 10+ years through their annual property taxes. This levy is the only source of funding for BBAC and pays for operations, programming, community events, and support of organizations like Blaine Youth Sports.

How much is the levy?

The levy is the lowest in the area. It's ten cents per $1,000 of property value. For example, a family that owns a $500K home will pay $50 per year for the BBAC/Park and Recreation District. In comparison, Bellingham's levy for their Park and Recreation district is forty-one cents per $1,000 of property value.

Is this a new tax?

No, this is not a new tax. It's a renewal of funding that has been in place for over ten years.

What happens if the levy does not get enough votes?

If the levy is not renewed in February, the immediate effect is that the Park and Recreation District will have to operate on its savings, so operating cuts and price increases for fitness classes and other programs will be implemented immediately. In addition, community events like Splash Days or Pirate Daze or Daughter's Choice Dance will not happen. As well, support for organizations like the Blaine Youth Sports will not be possible.

What can I do?

First, make sure you are set to vote by going to www.votewa.gov. When you receive your ballot in the mail, vote YES right away. The deadline is February 13. And be sure to tell your neighbors about this critical vote to support the ongoing operation of BBBPRD2.

What is BBAC/PRD2 so special?

Whenever I ask folks "why" they keep coming back to the Birch Bay Activity Center, I hear stories (some emotional) about friendship, social connection, health and well-being, learning, fitness, and fun. I'm thinking that's a pretty good package of benefits and worthy of $50 per year in financial support.

So, I'm looking for my ballot in the mailbox and will be voting YES. How about you!

Arizona Tourney Schedule

Coach Mark's pickleball tournament schedule is 36% complete. He has participated in five of fourteen tournaments and 10 of 28 tournament events. Coach Mark's winter tournament play started in November 2023 and concludes on April 3-5 at the USAPA Golden Ticket (Path to Nationals) Event in Mesa.

In January, Coach Mark competed in the Tommy Wong Memorial Tournament and captured silver in mixed doubles competition with his partner, Kathy Kallunki. Mark and Kathy competed in the 4.0, 60-69 age bracket.

Also in January, Mark and Kathy competed in the Happy Trails Classic tournament and finished fourth in the 4.0, 60-69 age bracket (out of 17 teams).

At this same tournament, Mark and his men's doubles partner, Bob Dunst, competed in the 4.0, 50-69 age bracket. They came in fourth (out of 13 teams).

On tap for February are four more tournaments and eight tournament events. Two of these tourneys are PPA events (Desert Ridge and the Arizona Cup in Mesa).

Coach Mark Updates

Here are other updates for this edition of Coach Mark News

• Coach Mark is providing technical assistance to the Birch Bay Activity Center (Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District #2) in completing the pre-application for a Covered Outdoor Athletic Facility grant. This grant is being made available by the Recreation and Conservation Office of the state of Washington. The pre-application is due on March 13 and if all goes well, the final application is set for early May. Engineering and facility project management assistance is being provided by Gina Spencer, managing partner of the GeoWest Engineering firm in Abbotsford, BC. Gina is a client of Coach Mark Pickleball and an avid supporter of the BBAC.

• Coach Mark, along with Rebecca Dooley, Kem Ellis, and Heather Lindsay have incorporated a nonprofit organization called Friends of Blaine Birch Bay Park and Recreation. The mission of this Friends Group is to support and raise funds for all of BBAC's programs, activities, and projects (not just pickleball). Work is set to begin in May to form a board of directors and start strategic planning. Coach Mark will be facilitating the planning process and provide consulting support for the initial 1-2 years of operation.

• Coach Mark has volunteered a few hours of time to help out in the Vulcan Sporting Goods booth at the PPA Arizona Cup in February. The tournament is scheduled for February 21-25. Mark has been a Vulcan player ambassador and sales rep since February 2021.

• Coach Mark has decided to keep coaching and training fees at their current level of $40 per hour. This rate is applicable for all current and new clients and can be shared by the number of players on court (minimum rate is $10 per hour). This coaching fee does not include the court access fee charged by BBAC ($5 per session) or Semiahmoo Resort (25% of the current hourly rate).

• Coach Mark has been working with the BBAC team to finalize the 2024 calendar of events. Be sure to check out the BBAC website, including the schedule for pickleball programs and events from April through October (e.g., Introduction to the Game of Pickleball, Workouts with Coach Mark, and Introduction to Pickleball for Kids and Families). Here's a link to the BBAC website:

Birch Bay Activity Center

PCI Level 2 Certification

In early January, Coach Mark was awarded the Certified Level 2 Coach designation from PCI (Pickleball Coaching International). For the Level 2 program, Mark had to complete three video analysis assignments and submit three videos showing gameplay and coaching skills in action (in addition to reviewing all of the course content on the PCI learning website).

PCI is led by Mark Renneson, one of pickleball’s elite coaching and teaching professionals. PCI cemented that reputation recently when it was named an Official Coaching Education Partner of the United States Pickleball Association (USAPA). Click on this link to learn more:

https://usapickleball.org/news/usa-pickleball-announces-pickleball-coaching-international-as-an-official-coaching-education-partner/

Avoiding Pickleball Injuries

According to the Sports and Fitness Industry Association trade group, pickleball has grown from 3.5 million players in 2019 to 8.9 million players in 2022. At the end of 2024, analysts predict the number will reach 22 million players.

Incredible ... talk about hyper-growth!

However, there's a downside to this story and that involves the increase in pickleball injuries. Here's just one story reported in the media:

https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/27/business/pickleball-injuries-cost-health-care/index.html

To avoid these types of injuries, Nicole Havlicheck from PrimeTime Pickleball recommends the following warmup and post-play routine. Check it out!

4.0 Pickleball

There are three elite pickleball coaches and teaching professionals that Coach Mark follows: Nicole Havlicheck (Primetime Pickleball), Jordan Briones (Briones Pickleball), and Mark Renneson (Third Shot Sports). If you haven't already, I recommend you subscribe to their email blasts, newsletters, and Youtube channels.

Here's a video from Ms. Havlicheck regarding 4.0 pickleball that I know you'll enjoy. It mirrors what I've been learning this winter while watching gold medal matches at the 4.0, 4.5, and 5.0 levels in the tournaments I've been playing.

I also hope to take in the action at the PPA tournaments in February and watch pros like Ben Johns, Anna Leigh Waters, and Vulcan sponsored pros, Jay Devilliers and Tyler Loong (among other incredible athletes and professionals).