Ogden has a pickleball dilemma. John Gullo, who has done a lot for the city, has taken his pickleball enthusiasm from Junction City and moved it to nearby Brigham City. Gullo is upset with Ogden Mayor Mike Caldwell, whom he accuses of not showing enough pickleball-related spirit. 

Pickleball is popular here. As our Mark Saal defines it, “Pickleball is a court sport that has been described as a cross between tennis, badminton and ping pong. Players use small paddles to hit a wiffle ball back and forth over a three-foot-high net. …” It sounds fun.

Gullo was to have an international pickleball tournament at Monroe Park in Ogden next month, but last week abruptly moved it to Brigham City. He said that Caldwell and Ogden spurned his offer to pay half the costs of building 24 courts in the more upscale-located Mt. Ogden Park on the city’s east bench. Ogden instead installed eight pickleball courts at central city’s Monroe Park. After he learned that the pickleball event clashed with soccer and forced hurried cleanup deadlines, Gullo switched sites.

Describing Ogden leadership, Gullo said, “they don’t care, they don’t see the vision.”

We have a lot of respect for John Gullo, who has done tremendous good for our city through philanthropy. He created the Hot Rockin’ 4th, and other good works, including Freedom Trail, printing press and miniature Oval Office at the Children’s Treehouse Museum. We understand his passion for the sport; it’s improved his own health.

However, we think Ogden city, as well as Mayor Caldwell, are correct to hold off on more courts at Mt. Ogden Park. We have the eight at Monroe Park, and others at Mt. Ogden Park. Ogden’s a big city, and there are a wide variety of needs. We’re sorry to see the loss of the pickleball tournament, but offer congratulations to Brigham City, which has eight courts. We wish the tournament much success.

And pickleball should not end what’s been a great relationship between Gullo and Ogden. If Gullo loves Ogden, we’re sure that Ogden will continue to work with him and support his admirable initiatives. And if Gullo thinks Brigham City is a better location for the Pickleball Tournament of Champions, that’s OK.

Pickleball will always have a place in the Top of Utah.