Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A MEMBER?

You need to be a member of the Sunrise Pickleball Club (SPC) in order to play at Rusch Park during SPC designated drop-in times (listed on home page) and participate in club-sponsored events. Either an annual dues or daily fee is required. Click here to join the club or renew your membership.

DO I NEED TO CARRY A MEMBERSHIP CARD?

All members of SPC will receive a membership band that goes on your paddle. If you play on the courts during club hours, you may be asked to show your band.

DO YOU ALLOW GUESTS?

Guests may play for a daily fee. The current fee is posted on the club's website.

IS THERE A BENEFIT TO JOINING THE CLUB?

First, you get to play with all the friendly members of the club during the club’s scheduled drop-in times. You also get to play on some of the best outdoor courts in the area during peak times. Some of the other benefits are:

  • Allowed to attend all club functions such as potlucks, social events, intra-club tournaments, Round Robins, etc.
  • Ability to take lessons from one of our teaching pros.
  • You will also get a reduced registration fee for any tournaments sponsored by the Sunrise Recreation and Park District if you volunteer to be a tournament referee.

WHY DO I HAVE TO PAY TO PLAY ON PUBLIC COURTS?

Players do not have to pay to play at Rusch Park on afternoons or Saturdays. Courts 9 & 10 are also designated as Public Courts at all times of the day. The Sunrise Recreation and Park District has granted the club exclusive access to the courts on mornings and evenings, Sunday-Friday. In order to play with us during those times, you need to be a member of the club. Please read the history of the club to learn about why it was necessary to form a dues-based club at Rusch Park.

HOW ARE CLUB FUNDS USED?

Money collected from membership dues, fundraisers, sale of club t-shirts, donations, etc. go towards maintenance and upgrades to the courts, club sponsored events such as free tournaments and socials, and the administrative requirements of running the club.

ARE MY ANNUAL CLUB DUES TAX DEDUCTIBLE?

No. The IRS in Publication 463 (Travel, Entertainment, Gift and Car Expenses) is very specific regarding deducting club dues and membership fees. Any club that is organized for pleasure, recreation OR other social purposes is not a deductible expense.

HOW CAN I FIND PEOPLE TO PLAY WITH DURING NON PEAK TIMES?

The PlayTime Scheduler website is the best way to schedule or join a play session outside of peak drop-in hours.

DOES THE CLUB PLAY WHEN IT RAINS?

For safety reasons, the club does not play at Rusch Park when it rains. Click here for a list of area locations that offer indoor play.

I'M A BEGINNER. CAN I STILL PLAY WITH YOU?

Absolutely. SPC welcomes players of all skill levels. Our members range from beginners to the highest level of play. Come out and enjoy the sport of Pickleball!

CAN MY FOURSOME RESERVE A COURT?

Rusch Park and SPC do not currently allow court reservations.

WHAT ARE THE HOME COURT RULES?

Click here to read about court rules and etiquette. The court rules should also be posted at the courts.

DO YOU HAVE A CHALLENGE COURT?

We have one court (Court #3) designated as the Challenge Court. Click here to read the Challenge Court rules. The rules for the Challenge Court should also be posted at the courts.

CAN ANYONE PLAY ON THE CHALLENGE COURT?

Yes. Simply add your paddle to the paddle holder lineup next to the Challenge Court.

DOES THE CLUB PROVIDE BALLS?

Players are required to provide their own pickleballs. The current popular ball is the Durafast 40 outdoor ball or the Franklin X-40 outdoor ball.  You may purchase balls for personal use from the club at the current price of $5 for 2 balls. Contact a club officer at the courts to purchase these balls.

DOES THE CLUB PROVIDE LOANER PADDLES?

Players are required to provide their own paddle. However, the club does have a few paddles available for loan to new players until they purchase their own paddle. You may also be able to borrow one from a player who has extras. For local paddle purchases or to demo before purchasing, try Courtside Tennis and Pickleball stores located in Gold River and near CSUS.

ARE THERE CHAIRS AT THE COURTS?

There are benches in the walkways between the 2 sets of courts. Some players bring their own chair to use during their rest periods. 

DO YOU HAVE A LOST AND FOUND?

Players sometimes leave items at the courts.  All items are kept in the Bistro, located near the courts. Contact a club officer to get access to the lost and found. If you leave an item at the courts or find an item, send an email to the club and we can try to locate the item or owner.

ARE THERE BATHROOMS NEAR THE COURTS?

Yes, there are bathrooms located next to the courts. They are locked with a code. Contact a club officer at the courts to get the code. During Park District business hours there are also indoor bathrooms at the gymnasium.

WHAT IF THE COURTS ARE LOCKED?

The courts are supposed to be unlocked by 7:00AM each morning and locked at 9:30PM. If the courts are locked during these times, first try to locate a Park maintenance person to unlock the gates. If that fails, contact the Park District at 916-725-6287 or 916-725-1585. Several club officers have gate keys so they will also be able to unlock the courts.

IS THERE A FIRST AID KIT AT THE COURTS?

There is a First Aid Kit and ice available inside the Bistro. 

DO YOU OFFER PICKLEBALL LESSONS?

Yes! SPC has a few resident teaching pros who are available to help you up your game. Click here for more information on our pros and how to contact them.

ARE THE COURTS LIGHTED?

There are lights at the courts for night play. Quarters are not required. The light switches are located on the green box outside of Court 3, between the courts and the swimming pool. To turn on the lights, press both of the buttons. They are supposed to stay on for 30 to 40 minutes. Before turning off, a horn on a post near Court 1 will sound, and you will need to go push the buttons again within 5 minutes. If they turn off, you will need to wait awhile for them to cool down before you can turn them back on.

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?

Wearing appropriate workout clothing and proper footwear will help ensure your safety during play. Proper shoes are a must. Outdoor court shoes (such as for tennis) are recommended. Visors, hats, sunglasses, sunscreen and water are also advisable. Do not play on the courts when they are wet and slippery.

HOW CAN I GET MORE INVOLVED?

The club has Officer meetings quarterly and general membership meetings twice a year. We encourage all members to attend, speak up, and vote on the important matters affecting the future direction of the club. The club also has board elections each October for the following 2 years. Please consider volunteering for a board position to help keep the club operating. See our club bylaws for a description of these positions. The club periodically has members-only tournaments, Round Robins, potlucks, etc. These events need help from our members. The Sunrise Recreation and Park District also sponsors tournaments each year, and requests help from SPC in running the tournament, such as court cleanup, refereeing, etc. Contact us if you'd like to get on our volunteer list for future events.

WHAT IS PLAYER RATING?

You'll often hear pickleball players describe themselves with a number.  Ratings are on a scale of 1.0 to 5.0, with half point increments.  If you plan on playing in tournaments, you will need to assess your rating so that you can enter the appropriate level bracket. Click here for more detailed information on player ratings.

WHAT IS USAPA?

The USA Pickleball Association (USAPA) was organized to promote  the growth and development of pickleball, not only on a national but an international level. This organization provides players with official rules, tournaments, rankings, and promotional materials. 

WHAT SHOULD I DO IN CASE OF EMERGENCY?

In an emergency or if needing assistance during an accident while at the Rusch Park Courts, please dial 911 and give the court address: Rusch Park, 7801 Auburn Blvd, Citrus Heights CA 95610.

If you have other questions and answers you would like added to this list, please Contact Us. Thanks!