Shhhh! Don't tell them who gave you this info. Here's a secret place to play pickleball. It's in Bandon, OR at HLMS - Harbor Lights Middle School in the gymnasium. The folks there might not really be trying to keep it a secret, but it is not listed, as of this writing, in Places2Play.
The small coastal town of Bandon, Oregon is located about 100 miles north of the California Border. About 2,700 residents live within the city limits, which is known as the Cranberry Capital of Oregon. If you are a golf fan, you likely have heard of the links style, Bandon Dunes Golf Resort. If you are a fan of beautiful beaches, stunning rock formations and incredible winter storms, you might already know of the quaint town as well.
We only found out about the covert courts from our new friends, Bertie & John from Langlois, who took us to Spoon in Port Orford, and played with us at Buffington Park. They are the funnest couple ever to hang out with. It takes awhile to go from point A to point B with them, as everyone seems to know and love them, and they get stopped frequently to hug and chat. They were both physical education teachers and they began playing pickleball about 14 years ago. Bertie and John love to spend time in Mexico and helped get pickleball started there in La Ventana in Baja, Mexico just 30 miles SE of La Paz where they still spend several month each year.
Shakespeare, the Bard, said "All the world's a stage and all the men and women are merely players." If you wish to literally take to the stage, without the usual stage fright, go play pickleball at the middle school. There you will find one of the more unusual pickleball arrangements we've seen thus far on our journeys. The linoleum flooring might leave a little to be desired, but where else can you play pickleball on a shuffleboard court!?
The other three courts are on a typical multipurpose court where blue tape is laid down for each pickleball session. Thanks to the people who do that job and who set up the nets! The four courts stayed busy with a good variety of playing levels, and friendly players, but no one had to wait very long to get on a court.
As an added bonus, after playing pickleball, Bertie and John introduced us to a great place for lunch in the very picturesque town. If you're around Bandon, we highly recommend The Loft Restaurant. They have excellent service, delicious food, and you can't beat the best scenery in Old Town Bandon with the marina and the Coquille River in perfect view from their large upstairs picture windows. The only way you could make it better would be to have John & Bertie with you! We were fortunate indeed!
If you go:
Harbor Lights Middle School
Google Plus Code: 4H7J+X5 Bandon, Oregon
Days/Time: If I tell you I might be in trouble (but really, I just don't know)
Cost: Free (we think - no one asked for money - let us know if we owe you something :-)
Hugs from Bandon, OR
Next stop - Lincoln City, OR (or somewhere between)
#Coffeys2Go #Pickleball #BandonOR #HarborLightsMiddleSchool #BertieandJohn #StagePlay #UnusualCourts #BeautifulTown