Our Viewpoint

Last weekend I happened to watch "Field of Dreams" for the millionth time. What a great message of believing in yourself and persevering, even when people think your ideas are crazy.

I thought of that movie again Monday night at the Thompson Falls City Council meeting. The Thompson Falls Pickleball Club was there to discuss the partnership between the city and the club to resurface the sport court area near Thompson Falls High School. Half of the site is on city property, half is on school property.

The City Council approved a memorandum of understanding with the pickleball club. The city will help repair and maintain the fence at the site.

Nancy Fields with the pickleball club said they have raised more than $17,000, but they have lost their paving contractor so are looking for someone else to do the work. She mentioned Kayla Mosher with Kanisku Land Trust is helping them with fundraising and looking at possible grants for the project. The pickleball club is broadening their project scope and looking at making the area a multi-use space and possibly putting back equipment for basketball and tennis courts.

I have no doubt this group that started with a few people playing a relatively unknown sport will reach their goal. They will find a contractor, they will get the funds and they will revitalize a piece of the city that has been neglected for decades.

This is a great example of what can happen in a community when people work together. Don't wait for things to happen, make it happen.

Keep moving forward, pickleball club. You are making a difference in the community. You will build it, and they will come. —Annie Wooden