The Portland Athletic Club (PAC), a beloved fixture in Southwest Portland for nearly 50 years, may soon be sold to a pickleball business. Family members have revealed that PAC’s owner and founder, Marion Blackburn, suffers from dementia. At 84 years old, Blackburn is receiving 24-hour home care and is no longer involved in the club’s operations.
According to court documents, Blackburn’s sister, 77-year-old Glenda Hall-Blackburn from Federal Way, Washington, has served as his conservator since July and is reportedly preparing to sell the club to RECS, an indoor pickleball facility in Clackamas County, for $4.95 million. Dominic Waters, Blackburn’s grandson, expressed that the news of the potential sale came as a surprise to family members who currently run the club. Since learning of the situation in December, they have attempted to purchase PAC themselves but claim their offers have been overlooked.
Local parents and children have voiced their appreciation for the club, citing its welcoming atmosphere, affordability, and accessibility. Many community members have begun signing a petition in hopes of keeping PAC operational. In the court filings, Hall-Blackburn contended that PAC is facing financial difficulties. She also stated that prior to his dementia diagnosis, Blackburn understood the necessity of selling the business and was at peace with that decision.
Long-standing youth sports programs that have thrived at the PAC may be disrupted or eliminated altogether. Coaches, families, and athletes may need to seek alternative venues, which can create logistical challenges and diminish the sense of community that these programs foster. In addition, the new owners may raise fees for facility use or offer fewer subsidized programs, making it more difficult for families to afford participation in youth sports. This could lead to decreased enrollment and reduced opportunities for young athletes.
Waters has contested these assertions, claiming they are false. Family members are currently challenging Hall-Blackburn’s conservatorship and have requested the court to pause the sale proceedings until the dispute is resolved. Selling a community center like the Portland Athletic Club (PAC) can have significant impacts on local youth sports programs.
