January 29, 2025
Dear Y Members,
We are thrilled to introduce our expanded hours starting February 1 at the Patterson Campus—Tennis & Pickleball Center. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we fine-tune our processes to support our new membership staff, adjust programming within our extended hours, and enhance communication with everyone involved.
We kindly remind all members to uphold the Y’s core values—Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility—when visiting the Tennis & Pickleball Center. Our team is committed to meeting the evolving needs of our community, and we appreciate your cooperation in maintaining a positive attitude, respectful communication and adherence to facility guidelines.
With that in mind, please remember to scan your membership card every time you enter the courts and say hello to any new-to-you membership staff! They are trying to learn your name, understand how programs run for tennis & pickleball players, and want to create a welcoming atmosphere! Thank you in advance for your support!
New Hours at the Patterson Campus—Tennis & Pickleball Center
Monday through Saturday: 7 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Sunday: 8:15 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
PICKLEBALL PROGRAMMING
The Pickleball Program at the Y’s Patterson Campus is divided into 4 levels. It is important to register and play at your skill level. Once we’ve hired and trained our Pickleball Attendants, you can ask for help determining your skill level.
Skill Levels
- 3.0 – A novice player proficient with deep serves and returns, understands tactics, strategy and court positioning. They have a variety of shots to use. Works as a team with their partner.
- 3.5 – Takes advantage of opportunities to end points, consistent with dropshots and dinks. Finishes most points at the non-volley line, possesses a wide variety of reliable shots. Can execute a third shot. Always works together with their partner.
- 4.0 – Can change the speed of the ball using power and finesse. Patiently creates opportunities. Seldom makes unforced errors. Competed in tournaments and leagues at the 4.0 level.
- 4.5 – Highly skilled competitive players with few weaknesses. Understands and executes advanced tactics and court positioning. Has played multiple tournaments at the 4.5 level.
Pickleball Reservations
Pickleball players will continue to reserve playtimes through GroupEx Pro, our current reservation system. Court Reservation times allow you to reserve a court and invite whomever you would like to play with you.
Coming Soon: We are working to integrate pickleball court reservations into Court Reserve, the same system used by tennis players. Stay tuned for updates when the new system is ready to launch!
Mobility for Pickleball Players
Led by Y yoga instructor, Sarah Finney, this workshop incorporates mindful movement and stretches designed to increase range of motion, prevent common injuries and improve overall stability and balance on the court. Register today!
Dates: Saturday March 8 and 15
Time: 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Cost: $20 for Y members | $35 for community members
Location: Yoga Studio
Pickleball Machine
Coming soon: If you’re looking to improve your game, using a pickleball machine is a great way to drill and practice to refine and improve your skills and technique.
Pickleball Membership Category
As previously announced, pickleball players—just like tennis players—will be required to change their membership type to include an add-on fee. This will be required as of March 1. Please ask a membership representative at the Tennis & Pickleball Center or at the Don Stathos Campus for assistance with the conversion sometime between Feb. 1 and 28. Thank you! Please check out our Pickleball FAQs if you have additional questions!
Note: Players should arrive at or just before their scheduled playtime. Our lobby is not designed to serve as a waiting area, and lingering on the court sidelines will disrupt ongoing games.
TENNIS PROGRAMMING
Big Time Doubles
This is a new competitive mixer for intermediate-level players. Three courts will host doubles matches in a rotation format—when one court finishes, all courts stop, and players rotate accordingly. This is not a drop-in event; participants are expected to stay for at least three sets.
- Dates: Sundays, beginning February 23
- Time: 4 to 6 p.m.
- Cost: $5 per player (all proceeds support providing free tennis rackets to local youth)
- Capacity: 12 players
- Registration: Required through Court Reserve
- Important: Matches start promptly, please arrive by 4 p.m. Following a 10-minute warm-up, names will be drawn for the first-round matchups. On select weeks, the top court may serve as a Challenge Court, where the winning team remains to "defend" their title.
Note: The Adult Women’s Mixer on Saturday mornings has a new start time of 8:15 a.m. This is to accommodate our new 7 to 8:15 a.m. court reservation time on Saturday mornings.
Growing Our Team to Better Serve You
To support our expanded hours and growing programs, we are in the process of hiring pickleball attendants and a senior manager. These new team members will help ensure a smooth experience for all members by assisting with court reservations, programming and facility operations.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we onboard and train our new staff to better meet the evolving needs of our community.
If you know someone who might be a great fit for our team, please feel free to direct them to the Jobs page on our website for more details.
We are excited about these new opportunities and look forward to seeing you at the Tennis & Pickleball Center soon. Thank you for being part of our Y community and for your continued support as we grow and evolve together!
Warmly,
Your Y
Eugene Family YMCA
