Kalispell's Proposed 2027 Budget (Pickleball) Public Comment from Gary Christensen Aimee Brunckhorst
From: Gary R Christensen <link2chris@outlook.com>
Sent: Thursday, May 21, 2026 9:25 AM
To: Kalispell Meetings Public Comment
Cc: Doug Russell; Chad Fincher
Subject: EXTERNAL City of Kalispell's Proposed Fiscal Year 2027 Budget
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Dear Honorable Mayor and City Council Members,
This email and the those below seek your support and the needed resources to provide public recreational pickleball
courts and facilities within Kalispell. Please consider this email as correspondence and public comment as you
consider and contemplate Kalispell's proposed fiscalyear 2027 Budget.
Thank you for your time,effort,and consideration.
Sincerely,
Gary R Christensen
City Resident and Pickleball Advocate
From:Gary R Christensen<link2chris@outlook.com>
Date:Thursday,January 15,2026 at 10:36 AM
To:cfincher@kalispell.com<cfincher@kalispell.com>
Subject:FW:Kalispell 2026 Parks and Recreation Master Plan update
Hi Chad,
Pickleball!!!
I attended Tuesday's 2026 Kalispell's Parks and Recreation Master Plan update open house public meeting. We
chatted. I'm impressed with the draft 60%Plan,your guidance and oversight,and the city's consultant,Mike Terrell,
ASLA.
I mentioned that I had sent you an email last fall and I indicated that I would refresh it. It appears below. I believe the
community would benefit by having more outdoor Pickleball courts as I articulated below.
Keep up the exceptional work,
Gary R.Christensen
From:Gary R Christensen<link2chris@outlook.com>
Date:Tuesday,October 14,2025 at 11:01 AM
To:cfincher@kalispell.com<cfincher@kalispell.com>
Subject:Kalispell 2026 Parks and Recreation Master Plan update
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Dear Director of Kalispell Parks and Recreation (Chad),
Re: Request for Additional Public Pickleball Courts in Kalispell
I hope this email finds you well. I am writing as a passionate member of our local community and a dedicated advocate for the
health and wellness of our residents. I would like to formally request your support in developing additional public pickleball courts in
Kalispell. Please consider this correspondence as part of Kalispell's 2026 Parks and Recreation Master Plan update.
Pickleball has seen an incredible rise in popularity across the country,and Kalispell is no exception. For 4 consecutive years,
pickleball has been one of the fastest growing recreational sports across the nation. As a sport that is easy to learn, low-cost, and
accessible to people of all ages and abilities, pickleball brings together people from all walks of life— promoting both physical
activity and social connection.
Currently,the demand for public courts in our area is far outpacing availability. Dedicated public pickleball court opportunities are
very limited within the city limits. Pickleball players often travel to other Flathead Valley communities for play on public pickleball
courts. Expanding our public pickleball facilities would help accommodate this growing interest and offer more opportunities for
healthy recreation.
Benefits of Additional Pickleball Courts:
• Encourages healthy lifestyles for all age groups,especially seniors and youth
• Fosters community engagement and intergenerational connection
• Supports local tourism and economy through tournaments and events
• Requires minimal space and maintenance compared to other sports facilities
I believe that with your support,we can help Kalispell become a leader in promoting healthy,active, and connected communities.
Thank you for your time and your continued commitment to our community's well-being.
Warm regards,
Gary R Christensen
Kalispell resident
Pickleball player
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