Zorano Tubo is a certified pickleball instructor who has traveled across the country teaching the sport to people of all ages.

As other sports waited in the wings for the green light, pickleball has always been there.

“Particularly now with not much you can do sports-wise and health-wise in close proximity, it’s a joy having pickleball back in. Things like tennis and pickleball that people can safely do and see each other in a safe way,” said Tubo.

The sport of pickleball grew significantly in the Southern Tier, thanks in large part to this very gym, in what was formally the Boys and Girls Club of Western Broome. Back in 2019, a pending lawsuit and a lack of funding forced the building to shut down for close to a year, leaving players like Tubo with limited options.

Fast forward to last year, and the Children’s Home purchased the property, with the mission of keeping it a center for the community.


What You Need To Know

  • The Child Victims Act lawsuit forced Boys and Girls Club to shut down
  • The Southern Tier Community Center offers daily passes for pickleball
  • Pool, weight room under renovations 

“We get calls on a regular basis, daily basis actually, asking us 'when is your pool going to be open?' 'What types of programs do you have available right now?' 'Are you going to continue the programs that the Boys & Girls Club had before?'" said Nikki Post, director of the Southern Tier Community Center.

And the answer to those questions for the most part, are a resounding "yes." When the center was purchased, organizations like the United Way, the Decker Foundation, and Care Compass Network donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to repair what’s now known as the Southern Tier Community Center.

“This is an old building. It needed a lot of work. You saw the renderings downstairs and we’re still working on the pool, we’re still working on our strength training rooms, our fitness centers. We went to be able to be open to the whole community,” said Kate Carello, Southern Tier Community Center vice president of Strategic initiatives.

“It’s wonderful. The juniors and the seniors now have a place to come back to for health, sports, excessive, socialization and a safe way to do it," said Tubo.

So no matter your age, or your skill level, it’s safe to say we all need an outlet, and this center could finally be that answer.