Frankenmuth

11 There is a saying, "Don't let perfect be the enemy of good." Sometimes we get so focused on creating something spectacular that we forget that maybe we could see an immediate impact if we settle for good but not perfect. Fortunately for Frankenmuth pickleball players, Sharon Block saw the benefit of good. Harvey Kern Pavilion may look like an event and festival space, but Block saw pickleball courts with a roof – just what you would need to play pickleball in winter weather. Block, a Frankenmuth resident for nearly 52 years, has been playing pickleball for more than a decade. She played for the first time with Dave Budnik, in Florida and credits Budnik with bringing the sport to Frankenmuth. She first met with Meagan Pifer, Frankenmuth Parks and Recreation Specialist, in the fall of 2023. "The biggest unknown for us – and the biggest cost issue was heat and how to pay for it." Paul Bergman, also a pickleball player and local resident, is an electrician by trade who had previously worked for the City of Frankenmuth. Bergman understood the unique challenges of heating a large steel building. Talking with Block about how to reduce heating costs lead to the idea that fans, really really big fans, could be the solution. Block started with a call to the Frankenmuth Credit Union to see if the local Pickleball Group could write a grant on behalf of the City. Once she received the news that the group could pursue a grant, she and Bergman reached out to work with Matt Bierlein, Frankenmuth Parks and Recreation Director, and Jesse Robinson, City Electrician, to see exactly what sort of fans would work. The group ended up selecting two large fans, 18-feet in diameter, for installation. The large diameter fans help push the warm air that rises, back down, decreasing heating costs. Bergman and Block were a little discouraged as they initially thought the project may be about $7,000 and now, with two fans, electrical work, and installation was approaching $20,000. "We thought, the worst thing that could happen is that we were turned down," said Block. The Frankenmuth Credit Union Foundation for our Communities awarded the grant in late November and the fans were ordered, in place and operational by early January. With the ability to heat the building more efficiently, pickleball "open gym" was scheduled four times a week. Meagan Pifer says "turnout for the open gym has been one of their most successful programs this year, with more than 40 people turning out some evenings." "Pickleball is not just for old people. And it's not just about staying active," said Block. "It's good for your mind, it's good for socialization and making connections and that's good for all ages." If you are interested in pickleball, and Bergman and Block say it makes no difference in your skill level, they encourage you to check out the Frankenmuth Pickleball Group on Facebook. Look for more information f rom Parks and Recreation regarding pickleball and future improvements in the parks. By Bridget Smith in Frankenmuth

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