05/31/2026
What a beautiful way to celebrate this winter and spring season of Badlands Pickleball.
Today we gathered for an afternoon of outdoor pickleball, a fun round robin, and our Badlands Cup celebration dinner at Pizza 249 . Even with a bit of wind, we were grateful for a nice enough weather window to play outside, enjoy the courts, and celebrate together.
Thank you to everyone who showed up today, and to everyone who took part in the Badlands Cup and our coach led community play throughout the winter and spring season.
A special thank you to Pizza 249 for presenting the Badlands Cup and hosting us for today’s celebration dinner. Your support throughout this season, and your hospitality today, were truly appreciated.
Thank you as well to KenCo Environmental for being one of our community sponsors and for supporting this season.
We also want to thank the Drumheller Titans for their support. Part of our heart with Badlands Pickleball is to be involved locally, support community sport, and keep building positive connections in and around Drumheller.
A huge thank you to Morrin School and the Morrin community for welcoming us throughout the season. Being able to gather there, play, learn, compete, and grow the game was a real gift. A special thank you to Becky, principal at Morrin School, for helping make that possible and for being so supportive along the way.
I also want to recognize Bob Chambers, Laurie, Carrie, Betty, and everyone else who helped make the Morrin experience so meaningful. Whether you helped things run smoothly, showed up faithfully, encouraged others, or simply brought a great attitude to the courts, you helped shape this season in a real way.
Thank you also to Coach Paul, Coach Rob, and Kyle for helping with coaching and player development. Your time, encouragement, and willingness to help others learn and grow were truly appreciated.
This season was never just about pickleball. It was about people, connection, encouragement, healthy competition, and building something meaningful here in the Badlands and surrounding communities.
We had players come from Drumheller, Morrin, Delia, Three Hills, Hanna, Rumsey, and beyond. Today, Dana and Norah joined as last minute additions and helped complete a great group of advanced and intermediate players.
Congratulations as well to our prize winners from throughout the season: Colette Pettis, winner of the Selkirk backpack, Glenn Carmichael, winner of the Selkirk paddle cover, and Ken Little, winner of the Selkirk Labs paddle cover.
As many of you know, Virginia and I are preparing for a move closer to the Three Hills area. Badlands Pickleball was a vision we carried together, and we are so grateful that this chapter started here, in and around the Badlands. Wherever the next chapter brings us, this foundation will always remain part of what we carry forward.
I truly hope pickleball continues to thrive in Drumheller. There are good people here, a strong community spirit, and so much potential for the game to keep growing.
Thank you again to every player, volunteer, coach, sponsor, referee, friend, and supporter who was part of this season. Thank you as well to the Fairgrouds and Pickleplex in Red Deer for being part of the Badlands Cup journey.
It has been quite a ride, and we are very grateful.