Great idea!

Sign me up!

Me too!

100 people at $50-$100 per year. Should cover at least maintenance expenses. Please weigh in.

Because this is not a life and death situation requiring emergent action, given the reactions by many, why not pause, gather more feedback and information from those most affected and try to work out an alternate solution first? What is the harm in /downside of reassessing/reevaluating ?

Charging a membership fee seems like a separate issue than signup times? Respectfully this seems unrelated

I strongly agree Josh K. regarding paying a fee for membership for non-residents. I would put it down today. This dismay is all about the people, treasured friendships and camaraderie. The change to these social groups is what is most upsetting. This also includes the joy of seeing Cliff and Mike at their posts each day and the revered board members and instructors. Sure, we can all go to neighboring communities to play, but the depth of fellowship nurtured over time, within those courts cannot be replaced. On the plus side of non-residents, it should be noted that we spend a lot of time in Bristol. We support local coffee shops, restaurants, shops and other non-profits by participating in service work supporting Bristol children and their families. Many of us are committed active participants in this town, perhaps more so than some residents. Yes, you are to be congratulated for the overwhelming success of this club!! Sometimes it takes a village, we ARE your village! We fully understand this dilemma and know the change in policy is not to hurt any of us, but to solve a problem within the town. At this juncture, it's important to concerned members to be heard and hopefully, in a congenial manner, come together for a more amenable solution. We will always be your people, it's where is all began.
With all due respect and more for Cliff, Mike and the Board, ~ Eileen

I completely understand the concept of being victims of our own success, and I don’t disagree that our membership has exploded. But perhaps that is where a solution should be sought… Capping our membership, at least for the time being. I do remember when 70 people would show up on a Saturday and we would wait 15 minutes or more in between games. But at least we all had an equal wait and equal shot at playing.
This new change that’s being implemented does not address the issue of too many people in the club/not enough courts… it only sets up restrictions for people who are ALREADY members. A $50 annual membership fee also doesn’t doesn’t change the current situation/issue, although I would be more than happy to pay that if it was implemented.
Cliff and Mike, you guys do an amazingly phenomenal job at organizing and running this club! That fact cannot be disputed or overstated, in my opinion. But in this situation, I think the “problem” and the “solution” are not aligning.

Sent from my iPhone

On Aug 2, 2024, at 12:37 AM, Bristol Pickleball <robot(miuku)playerlineup(piste)com> wrote:

Eileen, very well said! Totally agree!

Last post y’all… I do think a membership fee for nonresidence would eliminate some casual members. Also, Guys, do Bristols just want to play with Bristols or with the great mix of folks we have now.

Like these ideas!

This is in response to the last post by Eileen Raposa. Eileen speaks from the heart. She speaks also for my heart and I think the hearts of many of the non-resident Bristol people who have developed unbelievable camaraderie thanks to of us all being members of the Bristol Pickleball club. I must say when the announcement came down I felt a deep heart ache. I totally understand the predicament the board is in.

Eileen …Steve B and Denise J. …. your comments are beautifully expressing what I feel.

i do agree that now as a part of the league i find myself going to the fish store, coffee shop, farmers market and have reaquainted myself with bristol-

While a membership fee for non residents is not technically needed to run the club, perhaps that sizable annual contribution from non resident members for maintenance and other expenses may soften the divide for residents. Checks or credit card? :)

Great comments. I’d definitely pay a fee.

It's not a fee issue, it's a space limitation issue. I disagree. Charging a few to non-residents would open up a whole host of other problems.