The Weyburn Oilwomen Association (WOW) hosted more than 20 ladies for a Pickleball event last night at the Spark Centre, which was also the launch of their Pickleball Lending Library.
"The proceeds of this event helped us to be able to donate money to Tatagwa View and the Weyburn Special Care Home for their gardening and flower programs for this spring so we wanted to make the presentation to them so that they have the money to get some supplies," shared WOW president Carmen Sterling.
She said the pickleball lending library will work similarly to their sled shed and skate shed.
"This is going to be available for people to check paddles out if they want to play at Spark Centre or at the outdoor court. They'll stop at the front desk and they can check out some paddles and then they return them when they're done," she noted. "The kits will have two paddles, a couple of balls to go try some pickleball and then just return the paddles when you're done."
While the event was ladies-only, the pickleball lending library is for anyone to check out to try pickleball.
"We're happy to be able to provide them."
Sterling said as part of the kickoff, earlier this week they also donated 15 sets of paddles to the Weyburn Comprehensive School pickleball program.
"So it's been pretty exciting for us to get this event finally kicked off and introduce people to pickleball and celebrate the fact that we're going to have this available to people."
The initiative was made possible thanks to funding support from Sask Lotteries through Southeast District’s 'Grow Your Community' Grant.
Thursday evening's event was for women of all skill levels: new to the sport and seasoned pros. Andrea Wilson facilitated a short dynamic stretching session, with instruction on the basics of pickleball by Jacquie Williams and Deana Mainil, who were each given an honorary WOW membership to thank them for helping out with the event.
The three facilitators are also avid pickleball players. Williams said she loves the sport because she has never met a pickleball player she didn't like. Mainil said she got started on her 50th birthday and has become a 'pickleball addict'.
Sterling added the lending library was well-supported by the Weyburn Pickleball Club.
Anyone interested in becoming a member of the local organization can find out more HERE.
