A Group Effort for Cooper City Pickleball Courts

By Marcos Ritter It was in an obscure little park in Cooper City called Forest Lake where I met a small band of beautiful ladies playing pickleball. It was the summer before the pandemic (2019). I barely knew the game and they seemed new at it themselves, although they were laughing and having fun as they chased balls all over the court. It was weeks later when I ran into one of them at Twin Lakes Pools and asked her how I knew her. Once she got over the initial “…Hey buddy, I am married…” fear, we figured out it was from the pickleball courts. Since then, a friendship has developed with Paula Tangora as well as dozens of other pickleball players in Cooper City.

That little band of 6 pickleball players began to grow. Within a few months, husbands, children, nieces, and nephews started to play. They invited other friends, aunts, uncles, sisters, and brothers to play. We soon outgrew those two little courts at Forest Lake. But we kept on showing up because it was there where we got to see our new friends and even celebrate birthdays together.

We knew we needed more courts. That is when we saw an abandoned hockey rink in the Suellen H. Fardelmann Cooper City Sports Complex. We knew we could build pickleball courts there. “LET’S GO TO THE CITY,” we said, and our mission was set. We organized, we petitioned, and we went to budget meetings. The women insisted politely on being heard. So, the city put up 4 nets and painted some lines. We were grateful, but not fully satisfied. Nevertheless, we took care of those courts. Charlie Bruno, who is an amazing man, put up dividers to help with the loose balls. Together, we would come out with our blowers and clean the courts. In short, we made the best out of what the city was able to give us.

In the middle of the pandemic when everything was shutting down, we gave it one more shot. We organized once again, designed some better courts, and gave some beautiful speeches at the commissioners’ meetings. This is where with kindness, mutual respect, and a selfless desire to improve your community, government and citizens come together. Under the leadership of Mayor Greg Ross and the city commissioners, the City of Cooper City built the best pickleball courts in Broward County.

Since then, the government officials have come out and played with us. They have seen our group grow to over 120 players. We have had parties together, gone out on boats, traveled, and helped each other in many ways. We have kept it open play to all who want to come. We encourage newbies, and I personally have taught at least 30 people how to play the game (I am not an instructor).

Our group has participated in tournaments and has won GOLD, SILVER, AND BRONZE MEDALS in all categories: Women’s Doubles, Men’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles. But, the best part of what defines us is the kindness and love we have for each other and the alliance we have forged with the city to keep and maintain the courts. Charlie and I and the others who now join us, blow, sweep, and help clean the courts because we believe that when government and citizens work together, GREAT THINGS COME OF IT.

The Cooper City pickleball courts are located at Forest Lake Park, 5700 SW 113th Avenue (2 courts), and Suellen H. Fardelmann Sports Complex at 10300 Stirling Road (6 courts) .