TAPA - Bowers Harbor

The past couple of seasons have seen a surge in Pickleball play at Bower’s Harbor Park.  Our player community has grown, the level of play has matured, and our friendships have deepened.   We ended last season with 75+ active players, many of whom could be found playing 5-days per week.  As we look toward next season, it’s certain that our social, inclusive, and fun collection of players will attract even more participants.

With that in mind, we are seeking your help with an exciting, long-awaited project.  Working with the Traverse Area Pickleball Association (TAPA), the Peninsula Township Board, and Molon Excavation, we are seeking to build 8 new, dedicated courts at Bower’s Harbor Park.  Presently, there are 4 courts that must be shared with Peninsula tennis players.  These courts suffer from confusing “striping”, increasingly perilous surface defects, and cumbersome/fragile netting.  Most problematically, the courts are less and less able to accommodate the exploding demand for Pickleball play, leading to frustratingly long wait times for players.

To overcome these challenges, we have a unique opportunity to build new, dedicated courts.  Located near the existing tennis courts, the new courts will include:

• Wind-blocking screens  
• Fixed netting
• Shaded promenade
• Pickle-only striping

No Peninsula Township tax dollars will be used to fund this project.  Construction funding will come primarily from large donors and a variety of grant-funding entities (via TAPA).  However, to ensure we can fully cover costs and accelerate construction, we are seeking donations from our players.  Given the number in our community and our shared passion for the game, we are certain we can collectively contribute a meaningful amount of donations to ensure court construction can begin quickly.   

We are asking you to express your love of Pickleball with a donation to the new courts.  All donations are fully tax-deductible and any amount, whether a ‘dink’ or a ‘slam’, will help.  Donors contributing over $1,000 will be recognized on the newly constructed courts!

If you have any questions about the new courts, the donation process, or how you can help, please do not hesitate to contact us.   As ever, we look forward to seeing you all for a new season of Pickleball…on new courts!

Cheers,

The Bowers Harbor Pickleball Committee

• Dawn @ 231-883-7396
• Kent   @ 231-510-8502
• Email: PickleballBowers@gmail.com