PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE decemeber 2022

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President’s Message—December, 2022

As a not-for-profit organization, New Mexico Racquetball serves communities across the state and beyond to the best of its ability.  Over the years we have been fortunate to adjust to bumps in the road; such being retirement of facilities, the passing of key personnel, and changing business operation plans.  Some examples of success follow:

 …Working with new regimes at city governments.

…expanding venue access and building relationships with management teams.

 …Encouraging and assisting locales for construction of new facilities.

…Keeping a working relationship with our national governing bodies.

 …Overcoming the destruction/transition of over seventy courts in Albuquerque.

Our starship event for the past five decades has been the IRF World Senior Championships.  With this event, we also have had to move around detours!  Examples:

 …Finding alternative venues after closures (egs Tom Young’s AC, Academy Ct. Club, Rio Grande Sporting Club).

…Overcoming the disappearance of tens of thousands of dollars from our operating account.  

…Finding host hotels to serve our player base after being priced out of the market.  

 …Enhancing participation by adding new categories such as mixed doubles and racketball.

…Maintaining a highly energized volunteer base of over fifty individuals.  

Currently we find ourselves at another crossroads.  In Albuquerque, we are captive to the facilities at the NM Sports & Wellness venues.  They are the only option for holding a court sport event except for Kirtland AFB and sets of outdoor courts.  No other city in New Mexico has the infrastructure to host the tournament.  NMSW is hedging on the agreement extension of World Senior Racquetball 2023.  It is not the money thing, they say.  They question whether there is enough value to offset hassles from crowds, poor comportment, and lack of pride of ownership from guests.  Forget that the city of Albuquerque and the metro area see close to a $1 million economic benefit during the tourney week.  Forget that NM Racquetball has contributed over $500,000 to the IRF and other worthy causes.  Forget that we have a signed agreement with the host hotel.  Forget that players representing over 30 countries and 40 US states plan to return annually for their Racquetball Vacation.

Currently no decision has been made.  Hopefully we will employ a strategy which will be a WIN for all parties.  Having this event, or not; will affect many businesses, individuals, organizations, and relationships; just as it has for the past 37 years.

Happy Holidays to all!

Gary

Quote of the Month

‘First impressions do not tell the whole story’  GAM

UPCOMING

December 17  NM Racquetball Handball; El Gancho, Santa Fe 

January 7   Randy Kahn Midtown Squash; Midtown, Albuquerque

 January 19-22  M & M Classic; Zach’s Club, Lubbock, TX

 February 9-12  Durango Championships; Rec Center, Durango, CO

   24-26  Meadow City; Rec Center, Las Vegas, NM

 April 1-8    Pan Am Championships; Temuco, Chile