The latest State/County Health Orders put us back into limiting the players for Pickleball, Tennis, and Bocce.
Under these orders only members of two households can play at any time, and must stay on one side of the net. This puts us back into playing singles, doubles limited to two households, or Australian rules. Please see the statement from Club Board President, Mike Falarski below.
Many thanks to Mary Tatum who has spent two weeks attempting to get a variance from State and County officials . Regretfully we were just notified by the County our request for a variance was denied based on the County’s legal team’s recommendations. Effective Monday, The Villages is requiring us to regress to these rules. All reservations for Monday or later with more than two households will be cancelled.
As you can see the contractor is making terrific progress on our new courts. Depending on the availability of city inspections, we may get use of the courts around Thanksgiving time. I can’t wait.
Stay safe,
Bill Pomeranz, President
Message from Club Board President Mike Falarski:
The Villages was made aware of a discrepancy in the number of households that can play together for tennis, pickleball and bocce. Previously up to four different households were playing on a court at one time. It was discovered that the State indicated only singles could play on a court while the County said two households could play on a court. The Community Activities office has spent the past two weeks requesting clarification from the State and County public health officials as they pertain to tennis, pickleball and bocce. A variance was requested last week to allow up to four households to play together providing all other public health order requirements were met. Unfortunately, on Tuesday November 10, The Villages received word that the variance was denied.
Effective Monday, November 16, tennis, pickleball and bocce may only have two households playing per court.
Example – Tom and Mary Smith can play Joe and Sally Jones, or Mary Smith can play Sally Jones, or Tom and Mary Smith can play Joe Jones.
It is a regression back to when the courts were first able to open. The Villages is aware other businesses offering these amenities may be operating outside of public health order compliance. The Villages is obligated to follow the State and County health public health orders and follow the more restrictive of the two. If these orders are willfully not followed by The Villages, there are legal and liability coverage consequences.
The public health orders can and do change. We diligently keep abreast of current information. Meanwhile, we encourage you to still get outside and find a friend or neighbor to play bocce, tennis or pickleball with.
Today the Pickleball Courts open for same household singles play. We all hope we can expand play early next year.
