Central College dedicated the Poortinga Family Courts during Homecoming, honoring the Poortinga family and community partners who helped serve up a new era for tennis and pickleball in Pella.
The $750,000 project was fully funded by alumni, community members and the City of Pella, with the lead gift coming from the Poortinga family — Gayle and Stan Poortinga, trustee emeritus; trustee Marc and Ellen Gallinger Poortinga, 1998 and 2004 Central graduates respectively, and Michelle Poortinga Olson and with all their children and grandchildren in attendance. Together with the Pella Pickleball Club and the City of Pella, the pooled resources transformed Central’s 30-year-old tennis courts into a modern complex that now benefits both students and local residents.
In the spirit of the college’s Imagine More initiative, the renovation replaced Central’s six outdoor tennis courts, originally built in 1991, with a new playing surface, fencing and amenities. The courts, open to the community when not in use by the college, can be converted into 12 pickleball courts, creating one of the region’s premier community venues for the fast-growing sport.
For the Poortinga family, the project was personal. Ellen Poortinga competed for Central’s tennis team and holds the college’s record for highest doubles winning percentage in a career (min. 30 wins) — .721 (31-12), 2001-03. Stan and Gayle have been active in, and supportive of, Pella’s tennis and pickleball circles.
“When I heard about the need for new courts, I knew this was something we could support,” says Stan Poortinga. “Athletics are a big part of Central and important to our family. Supporting these courts means supporting recruitment, student life and the community.”
Marc Poortinga, who first encouraged his father to consider the project, said the family was inspired to step up because of the shared impact. “We wanted to do something that would make a difference for Central and for Pella,” he said.
The project also reflects the Forever Dutch® tradition of alumni and families investing in athletics. The Poortingas, longtime supporters of the college, built on their legacy by leading with their giving to this community partnership that now connects generations through sports.
Eric Van Kley, Central’s vice president for athletics, said the donors knocked it out of the courts for both the college and community.
“We cannot thank these families and community partners enough,” Van Kley says. “These courts enhance our student-athlete experience and, just as importantly, create a beautiful facility for residents. When Central shines brightest, it’s because we’re serving our students and our community together.”
Van Kley also highlights that this unique and special partnership provided both the city and the college with significant cost savings. The Pella City Council approved the $300,000 investment in the courts and Central will maintain the courts. With its location just west of the P.H. Kuyper Gymnasium and Fieldhouse, restrooms are available during the day. The court location on the athletics complex is ideal — avoiding potential noise concerns in residential areas. A student intramural pickleball club has been launched on campus, emphasizing the multigenerational appeal of the sport.
“This is the perfect example how the college works with community partners through the Imagine More initiative to improve the community and expand services,” Van Kley says. “
Emily Blom, Class of 2026 from Pella, Iowa, enjoys the new courts for both tennis and pickleball. She says, “Everyone has been so excited to play on these new courts and the energy level at practice on the daily has been so much higher! It gives encouragement to work harder in practice, which has improved everyone’s game during matches. Our location is pretty cool since it is very close to the football field/track area, and baseball fields — where other colleges’ courts are sometimes more secluded.”
Blom is confident this new facility will encourage students to come to Central. “Not only are the courts very nice looking, but they are super fun to play on! I love tennis — it is a great sport that you can play for the rest of your life! And I like pickleball because I think it’s a great way to be active with friends and be competitive! I also think it has great skills that people can use for their whole life!”
Pickleball is a Sport for Everyone
Paula Allen, Pella Pickleball Club president, is so appreciative of this unique partnership. The club initially collaborated with Don DeWaard, Pella’s mayor and a 1982 Central graduate, and Central staff members Van Kley, Ryun Ferrell, tennis coach, and Kathy Cashen Thompson, director of development and 1987 Central graduate.
“We are so grateful to the college, city and Poortinga family,” Allen says. “This partnership has given Pella an incredible facility. And it happened so fast. It was October 2024 when the city approved the construction funding, and we were playing on the courts this summer.”
“The intent of our group is to provide access to, educate and support pickleball in the community and to raise funds for this project,” she says. “The city required that we create a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and financially support the pickleball court project. Initially, Our goal was to raise $25,000 for the portable and sustainable pickleball nets and the court lines. We’ve achieved that goal and now we will continue to nurture pickleball with clinics and tournaments.”
Allen reiterated Van Kley’s appreciation for Imagine More in creating this facility. “The college’s peak seasons are spring and fall. Pickleball primarily kicks off in May. We can share the courts while creating a wonderful opportunity for community members and college students to play the sport together. Plus, the new courts position the city to host more pickleball tournaments and attract visitors to Pella,” Allen says.
Pickleball ascended on Pella more than 10 years ago and courts were modified in Kiwanis Park to accommodate until pickleball courts were added to Caldwell Park. However, in 2023, the Kiwanis Park court was removed, leaving only one court for local lovers of pickleball. The new Central courts allow up to 48 people to play at the same time.
The sport is one of the fastest growing in the country with 4.2 million people in the sport. The Pella Pickleball Club welcomes all. It’s easy to learn, low cost and a fantastic way to get physical exercise. It’s a family-friendly sport where different generations can play at the same time.
From rallies under the lights to summer pickleball tournaments, the Poortinga Family Courts are already buzzing with energy. Thanks to generous donors and partners, Central’s campus is now home to a facility that serves both students and residents — for years to come.
