It’s Official: Pickleball Heaven at JCC Opens
Community leaders and the family of Eva G. Lipman officially dedicated the new pickleball facility on Sept. 22.
After 37 years with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and now with the AJT, , Jaffe’s focus is lifestyle, art, dining, fashion, and community events with emphasis on Jewish movers and shakers.
The formal dedication and oopening ceremony of the Eva G. Lipman Pickleball Complex at the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta took place on a perfect sunny day in Dunwoody on the morning of Sept. 22.
Charles Lipman, widower of Eva, told the AJT, “This is one of the greatest honors of my life.”
Brunch was served from (Café) along with specialty cocktails. Eva’s sister and mega entrepreneur, Anita Zucker, traveled from South Carolina for the event, and stated, “Eva was very athletic in her own way, and this would be so thrilling for her. I so wish that she was here to see it.”
MJCCA past president Sammy Grant greeted the group and spoke of the pride associated with the facility’s growth. MJCCA Executive Director Jarod Powers thanked Dunwoody City Council members and Jewish mayor Lynn Deutsch, before extolling the JCC’s role in rekindling old friendships and creating new ones, “as a second home and safe haven.” He recalled that three years ago, he presented to Charles Lipman, a former attorney and businessman, the plan to realize this vision which has come to fruition in Eva’s memory.
Son, Andy Lipman, read Charles’s statement and spoke emotionally about his own battle with cystic fibrosis and the loss of his sibling, Wendy, to that disease. He described his mother as “wickedly smart, knowing ‘everyone’s business’ and using her ability to raise money. “Mother would get on the phone to solicit for money for Wish for Wendy and raise millions; and this included her ability to motivate others using her Jewish mother’s guilt. She is watching over us now, proud of this facility as a one-destination community. And yes, mom, I’m wearing sun block even if I’m indoors.”
Donor Steve Cadranel thanked the entire crew to dream so bold as to arrive at this “Zaban Resort” now vs. heralding back to his youth, when he came to the JCC as just when it wasn’t much more than a BBQ grill and pool, to “Now where we cater to all of Atlanta. These things don’t happen by accident.”
He spoke emotionally about his late son, Adam, and how he enjoyed the neon sign that stands in front of Cadranel’s Corner. The café’s non-meat menu includes light bites, bigger bites, sweets, drinks and liquor. Greek and house salads start at $10 with a tuna scoop for $3 additional, salmon wrap at $13, bagels with cream cheese $5, plus $4 for lox, such a deal! The menu also includes margaritas starting at $10.
Before the brunch, donor Todd Starr explained that he is a frequent JCC pickleball player along with his daughter, Zoe. He said, “Go look at our Court No. 8. That’s where we play. Others can reserve it also.”
Sports enthusiast and octogenarian, Arthur Katz, 82, who just won the state’s Golden Olympics singles tennis tournament, stated that he was delighted to have the JCC facility for his children and grandchildren. He laughed, “I play only singles and am saving doubles for when I get old.”
As a sport in the U.S., pickleball has surpassed golf and tennis. Only cycling and running are more popular. In 2021, 55-plus was the largest age segment. Now players are skewing younger: 18-34 constitutes 29 percent of players; men (60.1 percent) still play more than women (39.5 percent), though female players are growing at a faster rate; 36 million (14 percent) of the adult U.S. population played last year. Another source claims that the U.S. has 43 million players. Approximately 130 new pickleball locations open across the country per month. Atlanta has the fourth most pickleball locations in America, according to Pickleball Dinks Newsletter.
The new MJCCA complex boasts 12 pickleball courts, eight of which are enclosed, all with individual fencing. The MJCCA offers a wide range of programming for different skills levels, tournaments, leagues, open play sessions, ladder nights, and mixers. The complex is available for rent for private events and parties. Hours are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday to Thursday. 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday to Sunday. The Eva G. Lipman Pickleball Complex is adjacent to the Zaban Family Sports Pavilion.
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