EagleVail adds new courts, resurfaces old ones
Two new permanent courts and two temporary courts were added to EagleVail this week
Mike Leigh/Courtesy photo
The EagleVail venue where Leigh coaches received a bit of a makeover this summer. Two new permanent courts and two more temporary courts — for a total of eight courts — have been added because of the growth of the sport in the area, according to EagleVail Metro District manager Steve Barber.
“EagleVail has certainly seen a growth in the game since the courts were renovated back in 2017,” Barber stated.
Barber said Renner Sports Surfaces also finished resurfacing the courts this week. He said the courts are scheduled to be refurbished every 5-7 years depending on use. The venue reopened on Friday morning and dozens of players showed up eager to play.
“Previously, the courts were in very poor condition and did not provide a good experience for folks playing tennis or pickleball,” he stated. “Since then, the courts are full throughout the day, especially in the morning with ‘drop-in’ pickleball play.”
Barber thanked pickleball ambassador Mike Kieler and “all the volunteers and users who have helped make this facility first class.”
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“It is truly an asset to the community,” he said.
Vail pickleball players set to compete at Steamboat Open
Eight Vail-area pickleball players are set to compete at the Steamboat Open Pickleball Tournament Sept. 23-24. Vicki Keleske, Mary Kozak, Jill James, Juli Young, Bruno Barrueto, Jeff Wiles, Terry Greene and Mike Leigh will compete across the 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, and open divisions.
The event is offering $1,500 for men’s, women’s and mixed-doubles champions in the open division and $500 for second place.
Leigh, an EagleVail pickleball instructor and author of “Zen and the Art of Pickleball” recently released a second edition of his book on Amazon.
“This edition is a follow-up to my first edition and includes many new tips on how to stay calm, how to focus, how to prep for matches and how to have more fun on the court,” he stated.
“I was prompted to offer a second edition to address a constructive criticism of my first edition — that it is too short. Readers wanted more tips on how to maintain a Zen attitude on the court.”
Currently the book is only available on Amazon; Leigh has ordered copies to sell locally at pickleball venues and The Bookworm in Edwards. As with his first edition, any proceeds from local sales will be donated to Vail Behavioral Health.
