ST. PAUL - The St. Paul Pickleball Club took the opportunity to honour its founder - Chuck Ouellette - at an annual general meeting held on Oct. 1.
Ouellette helped start the club in 2013 and is affectionately known as "Father Pickleball" by those involved with the organization.
"Thanks to Chuck, we have a very active club," says Sharon Richardson, a member of the St. Paul Pickleball Club.
"As a club, we thank Chuck Ouellette for introducing us to the sport and being an active member for all these years," says Richardson. Now 85 years old, Ouellette has stepped away from the sport, but wishes the club continued success.
The sport of pickleball has been steadily growing in popularity since the club was established in St. Paul over 10 years ago. In 2014, when interviewed by the St. Paul Journal, Ouellette said he enjoyed playing the sport - even more than curling.
Anyone is interested in trying pickleball or joining the St. Paul club is encouraged to reach out.
In the winter months, the club plays indoors at the Centre Communautaire gymnasium, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. until noon, and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
During the summer months, the club heads outdoors and plays at the Kinsmen courts, across from St. Paul Regional High School.