March 10, 2025
When Blackburn opened the membership in 1977, it was one of many few tennis golf equipment that was open to all, regardless of the colour of anybody’s pores and skin; Blackburn was impressed to create the membership after being turned away at different tennis golf equipment as a result of he was Black
Portland’s historic Black-owned Portland Athletic Membership presently faces an unsure future as Glenda Corridor-Blackburn, the sister and conservator of the 84-year-old founding father of the membership, probably prepares to promote the membership to a pickleball enterprise.
In line with KGW 8, relations have indicated that Marion Blackburn, the founding father of the membership, has dementia and his sister, who was appointed to be Blackburn’s conservator in July, is probably going getting ready to just accept a $4.95 million provide from RECS, an indoor pickleball heart in Clackamas County.
Dominic Waters, Blackburn’s grandson, advised the household that different relations have tried to buy the membership, however have been ignored by Corridor-Blackburn.
As Waters advised the outlet, he worries concerning the influence of the lack of the membership on the group.
“I’m simply pleased with this place, and I’d prefer to, for myself and my household, preserve it within the household,” Waters mentioned. “It’s actually necessary and for the group, man, all these little children rising up and taking part in right here.”
When Blackburn opened the membership in 1977, it was one of many few tennis golf equipment that was open to all, regardless of the colour of anybody’s pores and skin; Blackburn was impressed to create the membership after being turned away at different tennis golf equipment as a result of he was Black and it was a hub for the group over time.
Nikki Blackburn, the spokesperson for the PAC indicated in a press release to KATU that the group stands behind the membership that Blackburn constructed.
“As we speak, the PAC stands as a testomony to Marion overcoming limitations, perseverance, management and love for tennis, and advocates are decided to make sure it stays a thriving a part of Portland’s tennis group,” Nikki Blackburn mentioned.
In line with Waters, his grandfather would need him to buy the membership, whereas he wasn’t prepared up to now, he’s ready to buy it now.
“From my perspective, I do know my grandfather would give us first proper of refusal,” Waters mentioned. “He provided me to purchase it in 2021; that’s within the courtroom paperwork as nicely, and I wasn’t ready to do it on the time, however now, I’m.”
In line with courtroom paperwork, Corridor-Blackburn is making the argument that earlier than he started going via dementia, Blackburn understood that the enterprise wanted to be offered as a result of it was dropping cash, a declare that Waters refutes.
As well as, relations are difficult the conservatorship and have petitioned the courtroom to consider pausing the sale proceedings till that has been determined.
In the meantime, Kevin Richards, the CEO of RECS mentioned in a press release that their provide predates the household infighting over the membership.
“RECS has been recognized as a possible third-party purchaser of the actual property the place the Portland Athletic Membership (PAC) is situated, which is factual. RECS made an unsolicited provide which predated any household dispute, and any buy could be contingent upon a complete due diligence section,” Richards advised KGW.
Sam Sirken, a PAC member who’s main a gaggle of consumers fascinated with buying the middle, mentioned in his personal assertion that it’s important that the PAC stays within the possession of the group and never an outdoor entity.
“We have to act shortly,” Sirken mentioned. “If PAC is offered, it is not going to solely be a devastating loss to our group but in addition to the legacy of a person who broke racial limitations on this sport. We’re calling on supporters, traders, and native leaders to assist us save PAC.”
A petition on Change.org, which lists Sirkin as a decisionmaker, is presently circulating and has collected over 1,000 signatures. It emphasizes the middle’s position within the legacy of Blackburn whereas additionally countering the narrative that the middle is a failing enterprise.
“We, the undersigned, urgently name for the preservation of the Portland Athletic Membership (PAC)—the primary and solely Black-owned tennis membership in within the Pacific Northwest. Based by the trailblazing Marion ‘Paps’”’ Blackburn, PAC has change into a beacon of accessibility, affordability, and excellence within the Portland tennis group,” The petition reads. “As we speak, this historic establishment is prone to being offered, threatening the legacy of a person who overcame segregation to create alternatives for future generations.”
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