By Herb Moering

The love and vision that the late Brenda Keen had for pickleball has resulted in a new dimension for the popular sport at Trophy Gardens RV Resort with the addition of two new outdoor courts.

The new courts were dedicated in memory of Brenda in a ceremony on January 13, which attracted a large number of players and other Winter Texans in the park. The sign of the “Brenda Keen Courts” was unveiled by the woman’s husband, Mike, and park Manager Dan Rockwood. It marked a collaboration between park residents and park management.

Resident and player Glyn Missingill, who was emcee for the dedication, noted that many residents had provided sweat equity, and donations of money. And Rockwood said all residents really are invested in the new courts. He asked those in the audience “to look and see what we accomplished.”

Missingill said this is an amenity that the park needed, and which Brenda had claimed needed a home. Pickleball had been played on two courts in the main hall at Trophy Gardens starting in 2015, according to resident Fran Adams. But the hall also had to be shared for other activities to be held, limiting playing time.

“The sport had become one of the most popular activities in the park, bringing residents together for exercise, social connection and fun,” Adams said. And along came an avid player, Brenda Keen, stating “We need our own outdoor pickleball courts.”

Brenda had started playing on a court laid out with lines on a street in next door neighbor Winter Ranch RV Resort, her husband related. But she became the spark to the project, meeting with management and other players to begin raising money through fund-raising events and work projects on the courts.

The Keens, originally from Arkansas, had been full time RVers since 2019 after selling off three businesses in pre-packaged foods, trailers and storage facility. While on the road they visited most states and more than 20 countries. They would stay four months at Trophy Gardens each winter. Mike had a brother living in the Valley and his parents had been Winter Texans here.

After the ceremony several pairs of players demonstrated the sport on the two courts. Some more funds are still needed to fully complete the courts with benches for players and spectators, proper lighting for evening play and some overhead coverage.

Although Brenda passed away suddenly in June of 2024, her vision is now a reality.