Helena Township – Pickleball Program Rules
1. To be eligible to reserve a pickleball slot in the Helena Township Community Center,
a person must be a legal Helena Township resident (property taxed as
“Homestead”) or own “non-Homestead” property and pay taxes in Helena
Township.
2. Pickleball slots were initially assigned by a random drawing of eligible players.
These eligible players are called captains. All assigned slots will continue going
forward. Each captain is limited to no more than 2 slots. If more than one member
of a household is a captain, that household is limited to no more than 3 slots.
3. The township has retained several slots for assignment to new eligible players. The
township will always retain 2 slots for random activities. If the demand for pickleball
slots increases to the point where not enough slots are available, the township
reserves the right to limit each captain to only 1 slot, households to 2 slots, and/or
limit eligible players to only legal Helena Township residents (see #1 above).
4. The person who reserves the slot will be the “captain” for their group. He/she will
receive all communications from the township, be responsible for sharing that
information with other team members, must be sure the required envelope is
completed and deposited in the pickleball box and the required payment is
included. If for any reason the captain cannot continue playing in an assigned slot
for more than 4 weeks, that circumstance must be immediately reported to the
township clerk, who will determine if the group is still eligible to play.
5. No subletting of pickleball slots is allowed.
6. Pickleball playing times are 1 1/2 hours for each assigned slot. The cost is $12 per
slot. Teams are only required to pay if they actually play. An envelope requesting
team captains name, date, assigned slot time, and amount enclosed will be
furnished by the township. Completed envelopes must be dropped into the metal
box at the entrance to the township oices marked “Pickleball Drop Box”.
7. If a captain knows ahead of time their assigned slot will not be used, he/she must
notify the Helena Township Clerk at clerk@helenatownship.com so the time slot
can be made available to other teams. If teams decide to move play outdoors in the
Spring or Summer, or when they decide to move back indoors in the Fall, they must
also notify the Township Clerk.
8. Assigned pickleball slots will be monitored by the township for payments and usage.
An assigned pickleball slot may be cancelled by the township for failure to follow
these rules or non-payment of required fees.
9. Players should wear clothing appropriate for active play. No shoes with soles that
leave black marks on the court are permitted.
10. The township will provide 8 or more chairs for players to use. Players who arrive
before their time slot begins should wait quietly as a courtesy to those still playing.
Teams must finish playing by the end of their allotted time slot.
11. Teams who play during the last time slot in the day must turn off the lights in the gym
and be sure the entry doors are locked when they leave to ensure the building is
secure.
12. The township reserves the right to cancel any scheduled pickleball slots if the
community center is rented for a single day event. If the community center is rented
for the weekend, pickleball slots may be cancelled from noon Friday through noon
Sunday.
13. It is understood that when the weather allows pickleball play outside, teams may
choose to play outdoors and not use their allotted slot. (See required notification in
Rule #7 above).
14. If you have questions related to pickleball, please call the Helena Township Oices
between 9:00 and 12:00 M-F at 231-331-4643.
Note: The Helena Township Library is not involved in the pickleball program.
Please do not call them with pickleball questions.
15. The pickleball program in Helena Township is governed by a sub-committee of the
Helena Township Parks and Recreation Committee, called the Helena Township
Pickleball Advisory Committee (HTPAC). If you have issues or concerns about the
pickleball program in Helena Township, please put them in writing (include your
return address or email) and either deposit them in the pickleball drop box or email
them to the township clerk at clerk@helenatownship.com. Your issues or concerns
will be forwarded to HTPAC who will respond to you in writing.
❓ Questions❓
Contact: clerk@helenatownship.com
Phone: 231-331-4643
Address: 8751 Helena Road, Alden, MI 49612