The dust and relative discussions around NRR&P’s changes for the 2022-23 season have settled. It’s now time to consider what you will be doing and when and where you will be playing during this coming indoor season. To some players, it may seem a little early to be thinking of playing indoors. However, all indoor facilities start their indoor seasons in September. If we do not contract the court time at the beginning of this season, someone else will and our opportunity for the entire indoor season will be lost.

FOR FIVE STAR VETERANS:

• RSVP via the Team App registration form beginning August 8; RSVP no later than August 12 to guarantee your spot. Registration will open to newer players on August 13. Registration will close for everyone on August 16.
• Players must commit to a two-month play period (no refunds).
• Players may register for Mondays or Fridays, or Mondays and Fridays. Mondays: Noon to 2:00 P.M.; Fridays: 11:00-1:00 P.M.
• Costs: The only thing that has risen with respect to our play is the cost of the membership or guest fees. Obtaining a membership at NRR&P is a personal decision. NRR&P membership is not required for Five Star play but is recommended. If you play with us regularly, your membership will typically cover your guest fees. Guest fees ($5) will be added per each event at front desk if membership is not purchased. Reduced membership fees are offered until August 21. Call 1 (440) 327-2114 for details.
• Court costs will be similar to last season. Actual court costs are not determined until our final player count is established and a shared court-cost is calculated. Court fees are due August 25.
• Veteran Five Star members do not need to read further unless additional details are needed.

DETAILS:

For those of you that did not play with us during the indoor season or those seeking additional clarity, please read the information included below. Hopefully, it will explain ‘The W’s’ of our Five Star indoor season.

Five Star’s indoor season is divided into three, two-month and one three-month periods. Fees are based on the total court costs for these periods. If space is available, new members may join us at the beginning of each new session. Previous members get first crack at the next two-month membership. Five Star players do not need to commit for the entire indoor season.

For those who played with us last indoor season, registration will begin on August 8 via Team App. Memberships for newer players (first-come-first-served) will begin August 12th. Enrollment will end when we reach an appropriate number of players for the courts we lease. You must have the app and access to the Five Star group to register. THE REGISTRATION FORM WILL APPEAR UNDER EVENTS. RSVP ‘YES or NO’ to register. Please contact Jim Emigh (440-487-4345) if you need support with the Team App. As of August 12, anyone that has played with us and has access to the Five Star site is eligible to join. Registration will end on August 16. We expect to register at least 15 players for 3 courts throughout the indoor season. If additional players are interested, we need a minimum of 18 players for 4 courts; 22 players for 5 courts. Last season we had over 23 players attend on a regular basis and played on 5 courts, with a 6th court available if needed.

Registrations will be offered for Mondays and/or Fridays and require a 2-month commitment. Once players register to play, they are obligated to pay the court fees for the two-month period. There are no refunds. Renewals will be offered every 2 months. New memberships may be available after the initial registration period and will be offered on a first-come-first-served basis. Snowbirds that are considering joining us might consider partnering with another player or obtaining a suitable substitute. If you cannot commit to a two-month period, but still wish to play with us on occasion, please text Jim (440-487-4345) and become one of our substitutes.

The only way to guarantee weekly court time for our group for the indoor season is to book personal court time (PCT). The indoor season runs from September-May. The PCT rate at NRR&P will be very close to what it was last year. The owner, Mike Boukzam, has agreed to include a senior citizens’ and loyalty discount to give us these courts at this reduced price. His offer includes either a 6th court free, if we lease five courts, or a reduced price for each court. He has also agreed to let us pay in smaller and more frequent installments. Without this stipulation, we would need to come up with over $7,000 before September and again in January. This two-installment payment is the accepted procedure for tennis PCTs. These offers represent a significant savings and convenience for our group and an opportunity for us to bring in new players and guests at reasonable costs.

Here are the best estimates that I can give you about cost. With the senior and loyalty discounts, it will cost our group about $21 per court per hour ($5 per player/hour or $10 per player/two-hour session). Additional players will reduce costs (If we get 14 players to register and book 3 courts or 19 players and book 4 courts, our cost per player would be around $9.00/session). This is a very reasonable charge for a private court these days. A typical TWO-month fee for a one-day-a-week session would be around $80-$100; $160-$200 for twice-a-week. Any fees collected from players that register after registration closes will be used to reduce the next two-month-court cost for all members.

The costs mentioned above do not include the price of a membership. Although it is not necessary for Five Star Members to obtain NRR&P memberships to play, I would encourage all players to sign up for a NRR&P membership. Not only does a membership support the pickleball amenities and innovations at NRR&P, but it will certainly pay for itself in the discounts that players receive throughout the year. Guest fees ($5) for non-members would apply to each event and would be collected at the front desk. Let me remind you that reduced membership fees are offered until August 21. Call 1 (440) 327-2114 for details.

For many of us, the amounts discussed here represent a small price for the game we love to play; for others, it may cause some hesitation. The bottom line for me is, “For $10 or less, where else can I go/what else can I do and get the rewards that come from playing two hours of pickleball in a premier facility with players that I enjoy?” I hope you feel the same way. Regardless, I hope to see all of you at some time during our indoor season at NRR&P!