Open Play Guidelines

We welcome you to the Salida and BV Pickleball/Tennis courts!

General rules that we use to ensure that all players have a good time: 

•   Use common sense and courtesy.  If you see new or unfamiliar people, introduce yourself and welcome them to the courts.  Please read our Open Play Key Concepts & Information.
•  All players, please sign in at the kiosk.  On our outdoor courts, Salida Rec asks for a $2 voluntary court donation fee. BV Rec requires a $3 fee.  Indoor fees, $5 at DPCA and $5 at the Fairgrounds, are mandatory to cover the cost of building rental at all indoor facilities.
  
•  At Centennial Courts (Salida) more advanced/competitive play is on the west side of the courts (#1, 2, 7, and 8).  Recreational/social play is on the east side (# 3,4, 5, and 6).  This is a change from previous years. Click HERE to see a diagram and for descriptions of skill levels to determine which courts you should play on.  You can find more detailed descriptors of skill level on the Skill Level Definition page of our website.
• Courts #6, 7 and 8 are designated as Challenge Courts (2 courts for competitive and 1 court for recreational).  Read a description of how the challenge courts work here.   NOTE:  You must sign up for a challenge court with a partner.  If you are a single and want to play on the challenge courts, ask around until you find a partner.  
• Non-challenge courts will use a white-board rotation system (4 on, 4 off).  There are separate white boards for the west courts (advanced) and the east courts (recreational). Read through the whiteboard system to understand how it works.
•  Novice players. . .if you don’t have enough players for a game, use the time to practice skills.  Often, more advanced players will be happy to join you for a game or two, but most people have the most fun when playing with like-ability players.  Work to improve your skills so that you can play in an upper-level game without disrupting the flow of play.  
• Set up and take down:  If you arrive and need a net, get one from the shed and set it up.  When you are ready to leave for the day, look (or ask) to see if your net will be used by other players.  If not, then take the net down and put it in the shed.  When taking down nets, leave the net posts in the net, fold the net in half twice, and roll it up.  If you need help, ask other players for assistance.  Return club balls to the buckets.
• The best time for arranged play is in the afternoon or evening, rather than during morning Open Play.  In 2024 we are testing a schedule which includes some time for arranged play in the mornings.  Morning arranged play courts (2 NW courts) are first-come, first-served at the listed day/time and may be used by a group for 1 hour maximum.  See the printable court schedule for information.

• Playing Up and Playing Down – Read the posted “Tips for Playing Up” and “Tips for Playing Down” and use common sense and courtesy.  If you’d like to play in games with higher-level players, then take the time to practice, drill, and improve your skills. 
• See the posted court schedule to see when Pickleball and Tennis have priority play times.  Non-priority players must relinquish the courts to priority players if there is a need for court space.  On shared/unassigned times, half of the court must be relinquished if tennis players arrive at the courts.
• Have fun!  Do your part to make sure that the other players on the courts are also having fun!  Remember that pickleball is only a game and that we are all here to have a good time.
• Please remember to pay your court fee.  BV and Salida are small communities and we want to support our Recreation Departments!