Calgary Alderman Loves Pickleball
Alderman Bob Hawkesworth has become the first person on Calgary City Council to try the sport of pickleball.
Hawkesworth, once named as one of Alberta’s 50 Most Influential people by Alberta Venture Magazine, was first elected to City Council in 1980.
Since then, he has served as both an Alderman and a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA).
But on April 20 at the Cedarbrae Community Centre, he was just one of several new players out to try pickleball for the very first time.
“I had a lot of fun!” says Hawkesworth. “It was easy to learn and to play. It brought back into play my long disused tennis moves in no time at all.”
“It was a fun atmosphere,” he recalls of his first experience playing pickleball. “It was mildly competitive. Everyone cut me a lot of slack as I fumbled through the game. Pickleball was not as fast as squash or racquetball, so the pace was easier for me and more relaxed. The folks I met were very welcoming. I felt at home almost immediately.”
What are his thoughts about making this game available to Calgary seniors?
“I think it would be a great sport to introduce to seniors,” says the Alderman for Ward 4. “Many who travel south to the U. S. in the winter have discovered this sport, enjoy it, and are importing it back into Calgary because they find it fun and great exercise.”
“I believe that pickleball definitely has the potential to bring additional users to Calgary outdoor tennis courts,” he added in response to players who lobbied him to have the City of Calgary to add pickleball lines to the existing inventory of public tennis courts.
But did he enjoy himself enough to come back? Yes indeed, says Hawkesworth. “I would be pleased to join you again to give an update.”
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