About Us

Early Fall of 2015 some Cedaredge residents who had been introduced to Pickleball offered to teach the game in Cedaredge at the Town courts.  Rich and Betty Garrett (of RBG Enterprises) donated a net, temporary court lines were drawn, and they, along with other volunteers, got a number of other locals interested in playing in Cedaredge.

 

By November of 2015, 19 people loosely organized as Grand Mesa Picklers and agreed that informal dues would be a one-time membership fee for the purpose of purchasing Pickleball nets and other necessary supplies along with a lock and box which would be stored on the courts—the lock code available to members.  Judy Weaver agreed to act as our “President/Treasurer” and became the spokesperson working with the Town.

 

By May of 2016 the group had added 11 more members.  Trying to chalk or add other types of temporary court markings to the surface had become problematic as well as time consuming.  The lines for tennis courts were also faded, so the Town agreed they would cover some of the cost for having the courts repainted and lined.  Members of GMP held a yard sale and were able in July of 2016 to give the Town $1200 towards this purpose.  By the end of 2016, the group had added another 11 members. Since 2015, GMP continued to grow to over 120 members over the next six years. 

 

In late 2022 the opportunity arose for GMP to use the three pickleball courts in a gymnasium facility that a local church had recently constructed.  Because use of such facilities required providing liability insurance for GMP members to utilize church facilities, it became necessary to incorporate formally in order to obtain a federal tax number and establish a bank account.  In early 2023, GMP filed Articles of Incorporation as a 501(c)7, Social and Recreational Club with the State of Colorado as Grand Mesa Picklers and obtained our EIN.  Yearly membership dues were established in order to help pay for facility use, liability insurance and equipment.  The club grew throughout the year to over 100 paid members.  GMP worked with the Town of Cedaredge to secure use of the Town courts located in the Cedaredge Town Park at established times over spring through fall months when weather is conducive to outdoor play.  GMP continued to provide equipment at the Town courts available to members. 

 

The courts have deteriorated badly over a number of years since being originally constructed, and need major repair or reconstruction.  GMP held numerous meetings with the Town administrator and Town trustees to try to come up with solutions to fix the courts and at the same time increase the number of pickleball courts from 4 to 6 within the existing court footprint.  By the end of the outdoor season, to obtain funds to upgrade courts, GMP felt it would be best to reorganize as a 501(c)3 in order to be able to apply for grants and accept larger donations.  In late 2023, Grand Mesa Picklers was dissolved.  Grand Mesa Pickleball Foundation was incorporated with the State of Colorado in the fall of 2023, DBA Grand Mesa Pickleball.