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Game On: It’s Go Time for Legacy Pickleball Club’s Flagship Location in Ballston Spa

Written by Megin Potter on . Posted in Featured, News.

On Aug. 4, a $2.33 million deal was signed securing Legacy Sports Holdings a 10-year lease for a 4-acre parcel on Route 50, soon to be the home of the largest pickleball center in the region, and the first of five centers like it in the Northeast.  

Renovations to the 20,000 sq. ft. warehouse at Corporate Technology Park, 4 McCrea Hill Road, by Wilton-based contractor the JAG Group, LLC., will include the addition of eight indoor courts, 15 – 20 outdoor courts, a player’s lounge (serving beer and wine), state of the art restroom facilities and locker area, and a pro-shop. 

The pickleball boom is here. 

Relishing the Moment

Today, Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in America. Early estimates indicated the number of pickleball players in the US would reach 21 million by 2030. According to a recent report by the American Pickleball Association, the popularity of pickleball has exploded well beyond that, shattering early estimates. 

In just the past year, approximately 35 million people participated in the sport. Players are more demographically diverse than previously thought, as well, with the average age of today’s player being 34 years old (median age was 58). Pickleball is also family friendly, with lessons for children often beginning at 8-10-years-old.

“Anyone can play this game and become proficient in a short period of time,” said Legacy Pickleball Club’s General Manager Michael Xirinachs. 

Easy to learn and affordable to play, the demand for pickleball is outpacing available courts locally.  In a private feasibility study, excessive wait times (due to the courts being full on any given day) was the largest concern among residents, followed by travel time – many are commuting more than an hour to play. Of those surveyed, 94% said they’d consider joining a pickleball club and 71% would play more, if an indoor facility were available nearby. 

Carpe Dink’um

As star athletes and tournaments attract record attendance, a wave of investors, sponsors, and retailers are rushing to cash in on the action, which shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. 

Highly motivated after previous plans for a facility in Malta were halted, the Legacy Pickleball Club has an aggressive timeline that will see players on their courts this fall. In the future, a 55,000 sq. ft. addition is planned to shelter half of the outdoor courts. 

In addition to protecting the court surface from the elements, having so many indoor courts reduces the need to switch playing styles, which in pickleball, are substantially different for indoor and outdoor play, learned Xirinachs when he embarked on this endeavor as a recreational player two years ago. 

Each change in season thrust him into a different game. Outdoor pickleball is played on asphalt with a harder, faster ball perforated by 40 holes, giving it more kick. 

For indoor courts, the ball is softer, lighter, and has fewer, larger holes, changing the way it hits and grips the playing surface, which in this area, has primarily been glaringly-bright gymnasium floors inundated with a confusing collection of lines (because they must accommodate a variety of other sports, as well).

Instead, Legacy’s proprietary cushioned court system features seven layers of shock-absorbing materials beneath the playing surface that significantly reduce the risk of repetitive stress injuries, knee, and joint pain. With the ability to play indoors year-round, players gain experience and confidence, improving their swing, timing, and hand-eye-coordination. 

A Sweet Dill

When Xirinachs moved to Saratoga from Long Island (where he was part-owner in a 100,000 sq. ft. indoor sports dome for six years), what he enjoyed most about pickleball was the welcoming community he found with the sport. 

In addition to its physical health benefits, Xirinachs, a graduate of St. John’s University with a degree in psychology, and the 2021 founder of The-OliveBranch.com (a website encouraging emotional peace within), said being able to bring people of all ages together on a continuous basis around a common interest has many emotional benefits to the community. 

Legacy Pickleball Club is offering general and senior memberships, reserved courts, and drop-in open play times. Courts are arranged by skill level, so beginners won’t be paired with more experienced players. Legacy also provides paddles and balls, if required. Among their 10 full-time staff positions, Legacy is excited to have in-house pro instructor Pete Bogarczuk offering private and group lessons, league, academy, and tournament play. 

Act Now: Within the next two weeks, Legacy Pickleball Club will be launching their Founding Members special. For the first 100 members only; pay a one-time membership fee and court fees will be waved for the entire first year. 

For more information, follow Legacy Pickleball Club on Facebook, Instagram, and go to www.legacypbclub.com

City Puts Downtown Building Up for Short-Term Lease

Written by Thomas Dimopoulos on . Posted in News.

5 Williams St., after a January 2023 snowfall. The former site of the Senior Center is being offered by the city as a short-term lease for a non-profit organization. Photo by Thomas Dimopoulos. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The former long-time home of the Saratoga Senior Center on Williams Street has been made available to non-profits for a short-term lease by the city of Saratoga Springs.  

Currently vacant, the city of Saratoga Springs owns the 5 Williams St. building. In anticipation of the Senior Center’s relocation, the city last year had planned to site a 24/7 year-round homeless shelter at the building. Those plans were quashed, however, following a backlash from some members of the nearby Saratoga Central Catholic School.      

The building is approximately 7,800 square feet and includes a parking lot with 27 spaces. The term of the lease will be for 6 months, with optional month-to-month leasing for up to an additional six 6 months. Total potential duration of the lease will be no more than 12 months, commencing in November 2023. 

Rental Fee: The proposal should include a monthly rental fee not less than $250 per month, which will be considered as the bid amount. 

According to the bid published by the city on Sept. 1:  Sealed bids for the non-profit short-term lease of 5 Williams St. will be accepted by the city’s Office of the Commissioner of Accounts, 474 Broadway Suite 14, Saratoga Springs, New York, 12866, by 2 p.m. Tuesday Sept. 12, at which time they will be publicly opened and read. That RFP opening date has since been moved to 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 14.  

Bidders are limited to non-profit social service organizations providing services to residents and/or visitors to the city. Due to the short-term nature of the lease, the building will need to be utilized “as-is” for the duration of the lease period. The selected organization will be prohibited from making any substantial improvements to the building, excluding minimal cosmetic improvements.  

Copies of the Request for Proposal (RFP) may be obtained on the City’s web page at www.saratoga-springs.org, under current bids. 

Saratoga County Clerk to Host Passport Night Sept. 20 By Appointment

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

BALLSTON SPA — The Saratoga County Clerk’s Office at 40 McMaster St., Ballston Spa, will host a Passport Night from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 20, by appointment only.

The first of its kind in Saratoga County, the Clerk’s Office is offering these extended hours as a convenience to those whose schedules make it difficult to visit the office to apply for a passport during regular business hours.

To book an appointment slot, call the County Clerk’s office at 518-885-2213.

Application forms will be available, and photos can be taken on site. Those planning to attend can also download a copy of the passport application in advance at www.travel.state.gov and fill them out ahead of time. However, the applications must be signed in front of an acceptance agent at the Clerk’s Office.

Applicants should bring:

• An original or a certified copy of their birth certificate with a raised seal and, if possible, a photocopy (front and back) 

• Their photo ID and, if possible, a photocopy (front and back)

• A check or money order (one per passport application) made out to the Department of State to cover the application fee. (See below for details.)

• Cash or separate check to cover the processing fees and passport photos (if having them taken on site)

Applicants should also have the places and dates of birth of their parents so they can complete the passport application. Children younger than 18 must have both parents present when applying.

Passport fees are as follows:

• Passport books — $130 for adult applications and $100 for children under the age of 16.

• Passport cards — $30 for adults and $15 for children under the age of 16. (Note that they are only good for land travel to Canada and Mexico.)

• Processing fee — $35 for each application

• Passport photos — $10

• Expedited service — $60 per applicant

Current processing times are about 10-14 weeks or 7-9 weeks for expedited applications. However, processing times can vary. Passport renewals for those over 16 must be mailed by the applicant; however, the required new photo can be obtained at the County Clerk’s Office.

Regular hours for passport services are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.

For more information, visit the website at saratogacountyny.gov/departments/county-clerk/passport. 

Vandalism at Gavin Park Has Wilton Officials Looking to Install Surveillance Cameras

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

Gavin Park entrance sign. Photo courtesy of Discover Saratoga website.

WILTON — Following incidents of vandalism at Gavin Park during the summer, Wilton Town officials unanimously approved a resolution to initiate a bidding process that would result in a bid award to install surveillance cameras at the recreation complex.    

Town Supervisor John Lant informed the board that he had received a phone call informing him that 40 to 50 people were having a beer party at the park, followed a few days later by “more vandalism there this weekend,” Lant said, according to the most recently published town meeting notes. He did not elaborate on the extent of the vandalism. The Board, which meets monthly, was scheduled to gather for their next meeting on Sept. 7.      

Gavin Park, a central recreation complex for Wilton Town residents and surrounding communities, sites numerous youth sports programs, regional athletic tournaments, and includes two multi-purpose gymnasiums, two pavilions, and 15 athletic and baseball fields. 

Franklin Community Center Marks 40 Years of Community Impact with Celebration Event 

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

Franklin Community Center celebrates its 40th anniversary
with an event on Sept. 28.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Franklin Community Center will celebrate its 40 years of service with an anniversary celebration Sept. 28 at 550 Waterfront by Druthers. The anniversary celebration – “Cheers To 40 Years” will take place 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $75 and available at franklincommunitycenter.org.  

Franklin Community Center has served as a social service hub for the less fortunate in and around Saratoga since 1983. The Center’s programs include a food pantry, a free after-school prevention program for local students and affordable housing for low-income individuals, as well as assisting with furniture and clothing and household needs, among others.

The initial plan in the 1980’s was to develop a west side community center that would offer a hub of services to meet the needs of local residents. Housed at 10 Franklin St., the central location would prove ideal for programming, outreach and counseling services.

The organization soon would expand services to meet its core mission of making a positive difference in the lives of others.

“Our campus today encompasses four buildings, each housing a different aspect of what we do,” says Mary Beth McGarrahan, development director at Franklin Community Center.   

Project Lift was launched as a prevention-based after-school program in Greenfield and Division Street Elementary Schools. By 2017, all six of the elementary schools in the district were added to the Project Lift program, supporting over 100 students and their families in Saratoga. 

Franklin Community Manor was built in the late 1980s as a low-income housing alternative for homeless. Additional programs included the Toy Library, Head Start Pre-School Program and a Dispute Mediation Program.

The decades that followed saw the establishment of a distribution center offering household items and clothing, and the offering of additional housing in a building purchased by FCC at 101 Washington St. Other services included case management, crisis intervention and an ever-expanding food pantry. 

In late 2021, FCC opened the doors of its newest facility, located at the intersection of Franklin and Washington streets. FCC raised about $1 million toward the building acquisition and the Arpey Family, local philanthropic supporters, stepped forward to donate an additional $1 million to complete the purchase. Formerly the MASIE center, the new FCC location is named the Michael and Stacie Arpey Family Community Center. 

The organization’s new building provides more than 10,000 square feet of expanded space, features individual offices, common areas, large meeting rooms, and stands a few yards from its 10 Franklin St. building, which remains active as an enlarged and often-used food pantry. 

“Since last year we’ve seen about a 30% increase in those being served solely by the food pantry,” said McGarrahan, explaining that during this past August the food pantry served about 360 families and over 1,000 individuals, compared to August 2022 when it had served approximately 250 families and 800 individuals.    

For more information about Franklin Community Center and/or  the organization’s 40th anniversary celebration, go to:  franklincommunitycenter.org.  

Saratoga Springs Hosts 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony on Monday

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

9/11 Ceremony in High Rock Park. Photo by Thomas Dimopoulos.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The city of Saratoga Springs will hold a 9/11 ceremony to remember and honor the lives that were lost and those who served. 

The ceremony will begin 8:30 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 11, 2023 at the Tempered by Memory Sculpture at High Rock Park. 

The 25-foot-tall sculpture was commissioned by Saratoga Arts and created by artists Noah Savett and John Van Alstine from five twisted pieces of Trade Center steel. Four pieces came from the North Tower, one came from the South Tower. The sculpture was dedicated at High Rock Park in 2012, following lengthy public and political discourse regarding its location placement.  

Monday’s ceremony will feature speakers Kathleen Shaw, who responded with NYS Urban/Technical Search and Rescue team NYRRT-1, Lt. Tucker Bonow of the Saratoga Springs Naval Support Activity

Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office Continues Investigation of Greenfield Cold Case Homicide Case

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

BALLSTON SPA — The Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office noted the 20-year-anniversary of the disappearance of 18-year-old Jennifer Marie “Moonbeam” Hammond, who was reported missing from a mobile home park in the town of Milton. 

Hammond had been working for a magazine company going door-to-door selling subscriptions. Originally from Colorado, she had traveled cross-country with the company and had been staying with co-workers in the Albany area.

On the afternoon of Aug. 30, 2003, Hammond had been dropped off at the entrance to the mobile home park but never showed up at the pick-up location. Her co-workers searched the area but were unable to locate her. She was reported missing after she failed to pick up her belongings at the hotel where she had stayed. She had previously made plans to return to Colorado but never returned there either, police said. 

In 2009, hunters in the area of Lake Desolation in the town of Greenfield located human remains which were confirmed to be Hammond’s after DNA analysis. The case was ruled a homicide.

The Sheriff’s Office encourages anyone who has any information about this case to contact them at: 518-885-6761.

Saratoga Springs Heritage Area Visitor Center announces Fall Brown Bag Lunch Lecture Series

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs Heritage Area Visitor Center, in partnership with the Saratoga Springs Public Library, announced the launch of their Fall 2023 Brown Bag Lunch Lecture Series. 

This community lecture series is designed to highlight the rich history, culture, and traditions of our city. 

All Brown Bag Lunch Lecture Series programs are free and open to the public. Each program takes place from noon – 1 p.m. at the Dutcher Community Room, Saratoga Springs Public Library, 49 Henry St. The program can also be accessed virtually. Attendees are encouraged to check the library website for more information and guidelines www.sspl.org.

Thursday, Sept. 14: “First Saratogians: The History and Traditions of the Indigenous Nations of the Saratoga Region”, presented by Dr. Joseph Bruchac, Executive Director of the Ndakinna Education Center, and Saratoga Springs Poet Laureate.

Upcoming – Thursday, Oct. 12: “Kidnapped from Saratoga: The Story of Solomon Northup” presented by Author David Fiske; Thursday, Nov. 9: “Brothers of the 77th:  the 77th Infantry Regiment in the American Civil War” presented by former Associated Press reporter Christopher Carola; Thursday, Dec. 14: “Saratoga’s Great Racing Characters” presented by Brien Bouyea, Hall of Fame and Communications Director at the National Museum of Racing.

For more information visit, www.saratogaspringsvisitorcenter.com or www.discoversaratoga.org.

Saratoga County History Center Hosting Presentation on the “Iron Hearted Regiment”

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

BALLSTON SPA —The Saratoga County History Center will host David Brooks (Education Director at Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site in Fort Hunter, NY) on Wednesday, Sept. 13 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.  

The presentation will be held in the Long Room at Brookside Museum, 21 Fairground Ave. Brooks will be discussing the “Iron Hearted Regiment” the 115th New York Infantry.

During the Civil War, Colonel Simeon Sammons received authority to recruit a regiment in the counties of Fulton, Hamilton, Montgomery, and Saratoga, with headquarters at Fonda. On Aug. 26, 1862, it mustered into the service of the United States for three years. 

Registration is not necessary but would be appreciated. brooksidemuseum.networkforgood.com/events /61071-iron-hearted-regiment.  A donation of $5 per registration is suggested, to support the programs of Saratoga County History Center.

Free First Aid Kits, Thermometers, Blood Pressure Cuffs at Community Health Day September 16

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

QUEENSBURY — Southern Adirondack Independent Living Center (SAIL) in partnership with Aviation Mall will host a Community Health Day noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 16.

SAIL will offer free medical devices, including first aid kits, thermometers, COVID-19 tests, blood pressure cuffs, and pulse oximeters, while supplies last. 

Community members intending to join the event are advised to use the entrance near Planet Fitness.

For inquiries about the event, contact Cam Cardinale, Director of Community Relations at Southern Adirondack Independent Living, by phone at 518-792-3537 ext. 1411 or via email at CamC@SAILHelps.org.