2008–09
A Game Comes Home
Bend “snowbirds” discovered a thriving pickleball community in Arizona and began imagining similar opportunities back home.
Since 2010
Our History
From borrowed courts and determined volunteers to a thriving Central Oregon pickleball community.
How It Began
The Bend Pickleball Club Story
The Club’s history is closely connected to the creation and growth of the Pine Nursery Park courts.
Built by volunteers: Hundreds of members, directors, tournament workers, donors, and community partners have helped the Club grow while keeping membership accessible.
2010
Bend Pickleball Club Is Founded
Three couples organized the first meetings, elected officers, welcomed charter members, and began finding places to play. The Club finished its first year with 63 members.
2012
Growing Without a Home Court
Play expanded to schools and indoor facilities. Members coached new players and helped introduce pickleball across Central Oregon, reaching nearly 100 members.
2013
Partnership & Fundraising
The Club partnered with Bend Park & Recreation District and raised its $100,000 share for eight dedicated courts through naming gifts, events, tournaments, a yard sale, and donations.
2014–15
Sixteen Courts at Pine Nursery
The first eight courts opened in 2014. Werner and Susan Zehnder then funded eight more, which opened in 2015. Membership grew beyond 400, and the BPC–BPRD partnership flourished.
2016–19
Membership, Service & Tournaments
The Board expanded, membership reached 760, and major amateur and professional events brought hundreds of players to Bend—with as many as 120 volunteers supporting each tournament.
2020–21
A Changing Era
After pandemic disruptions, the Pacific NW tournament returned as an APP Pro Tour event. Membership surged, courts 9–16 were resurfaced, and the CORE rating system was introduced.
2022–24
A New Look & Brighter Courts
The Club refreshed its brand, expanded leadership, introduced CORE ratings, and helped fund new court lighting. With the waitlist lifted, membership reached 1,352 by the end of 2024.
2025
Fifteen Years & the Next Eight Courts
BPC celebrated 15 years, raised major funding with its partners, and began construction of eight additional lighted courts—continuing a tradition of ambitious volunteer action.
It Takes a Village
The Bend Pickleball Club exists because generations of volunteers have shared their time, skills, generosity, and love of the game. Please thank them whenever you can.
Timeline recapped with thanks to A.J. Fraties, Lee Moore, Christie Gestvang, Kirk Foster, Brian Firebaugh, and Werner Zehnder.
