Reading Pickleball Players Association

As you may have heard, Michael Coltman, our President and the face of pickleball in Reading, passed away suddenly on August 4th.  Mike was ever present on the courts and introduced so many in Reading to pickleball.  His passion for the sport was shared unselfishly through his coaching of new players, establishing a welcoming culture within the Reading pickleball community, and advocacy for dedicated courts within Reading.  Mike’s efforts were responsible for bringing pickleball to Memorial Park and his perseverance continued until his leadership brought us to approved plans for dedicated courts at Symond’s Way. Mike was an incredible person on and off the pickleball court serving the Reading community in many ways.  His wit, kindness, and precision pickleball shot placement will be remembered and missed.

Our thoughts are with his wife, Judy, and their family.  Judy and Mike are beloved by our pickleball community and we will come together to support Judy during this difficult time.  His obituary is linked below.   

https://obits.barilefuneral.com/michael-coltman

April 2025

For more than 2 years the RPPA has been advocating for permanent lighted public pickleball courts in Reading, working with town staff and several committees to make this dream a reality.

We have also been actively raising money to help fund a portion of the court costs. Our original fundraising goal was set at $200,000 and we are happy to report we have met that goal.

Through the efforts of too many people to list here, the Select Board has agreed that land near the Burbank Arena is a suitable location and meets the needs of the pickleball community and the town.

Now comes the hard part – but it’s the final part. Town Meeting must approve the project at a vote scheduled at the end of the month.  We need EVERYONE to contact their town meeting members and let them know how important it is that these courts be built and to ask them to vote yes on the pickleball warrant. With everyone’s help, we can get this approval over the goal…I mean kitchen line.    

Although we reached our original fundraising target, thanks in no small part to a few generous individuals, the early estimates came in higher than many people (including us) expected.  We would like to make one last donation appeal before the Town Meeting vote.  The more money we raise, the bigger the chance of securing a yes vote.  Many of you have already donated, and to those people, we extend our sincerest thanks. To those who haven’t yet donated and to those of you who have and are willing to donate again, please imagine how great it will be to have more courts, dedicated to pickleball, right in town.  Please donate now to help make these courts a reality.

We already have the best pickleball community in the area, let's all pitch in to get us the best courts, too!

Click here to find the list of town meeting members in your precinct:

https://www.readingma.gov/575/Town-Meeting

Click here to make a donation:

https://www.readingmapickleball.org/donate 

December 2024

Greetings everyone,

SYMONDS WAY COURT PROGRESS

RPPA has been working with the town to allocate space for dedicated, lighted, public pickleball courts on Symonds Way - The Select Board voted 5-0 on November 19th to dedicate part of the Zanni property for Pickleball!   The town also authorized $87,000 of ARPA funds to start design, engineering and planning work. By the way, the land was tested and was Not Contaminated!

Our goal now is getting this project on the capital plan, determining a better cost estimate,  formulating a warrant for the April Town meeting and fundraising .  Your support for this plan could help to ensure its success. 

FUNDRAISING HELP

RPPA has a goal of raising $200,000 for the courts. As of now we have raised $125,000.  December 3rd is Giving Tuesday.   We need your help! Please make a donation to help our fundraising efforts: donate now  or contact us through our email at readingmapickleball@gmail.com.

Thank you to all of you who have already donated.  Your generosity has helped make this happen!

See you on the courts,

- Mike Coltman, RPPA President 

PAST LETTERS From the RPPA President

August 2023

Greetings everyone, it has been a good year for outdoor sports of all kinds. A group of pickleball players formed and  incorporated the Reading Pickleball Players Association in January. We had a kick off fundraiser  in March 2023 to introduce RPPA to the Reading community. Our focus has been, and will continue to be, getting dedicated pickleball courts built in Reading.  

The sport is growing fast, as I’m sure you all are aware and courts are in short supply at the most popular times. When I first started playing on the old volleyball court there were maybe 35 people playing in Reading. About this time the volleyball court was repaved and lines were painted to create 4 (sub-standard) pickleball courts. Quickly the number of players grew to close to 100. In 2018 we were able to get the courts at Memorial Park dual lines for both Tennis and Pickleball and the growth continued.  

Covid, of course, had an impact on the sport, but after the initial shutdown phase, being outside with natural distancing was attractive to many new players. It is hard to estimate how many players are in town now but the RPPA email distribution list that is just getting started is over 400.  

RPPA’s first event in  March sold out in less than a day and the lessons sold out in minutes.  It is fun to see adults and children of all ages getting together to be active and social. I’ve made so many new friends and renewed so many relationships with people in town.

Pickleball is easy to learn and difficult to master which makes it a great sport for all ages regardless of skill level or athletic ability. You just need to find a group at roughly your level and have fun. 

The Reading Pickleball Players Association (RPPA) is dedicated to advancing pickleball and raising funds to help build dedicated courts. We strive to be good neighbors with everyone in town, especially our racquet friends in Tennis. While dual use courts at Memorial Park are great, they are in such high demand that very little tennis is played there. This is why we really need dedicated courts for pickleball. Courts that do not take away from tennis and do not add noise and congestion to quiet neighborhoods. 

Phase 2 of the Birch Meadow Master Plan included 8 pickleball courts near the existing sub-standard courts and basketball court.These were removed from the plan and replaced with basketball courts out of concerns for noise and congestion, (as well as foul balls).

We are working with the town to identify a location where courts can be constructed that will not impact our neighborhoods. We feel that the ideal location is near the Burbank Ice Arena, on the far side of the building, off Haverhill St on Symonds Way. This will require coordination with the Ice Authority, the Select Board and the Reading Recreation division. 

RPPA is poised to raise substantial funds for these courts once a location is identified.

See you on the courts.

- Mike Coltman, RPPA President