Dear Save PAC Community,

We want to give you an update on where things are with the Portland Athletic Club. 

As you may have heard, the owner, Marion Blackburn, passed away April 4, 2025. He was a remarkable man, a trailblazer for the Black and Tennis community in Portland. We stand on his shoulders for making an accessible and inclusive tennis community for all people. We grieve the loss of his presence with the family. 

The confidential mediation agreement, appears to have stalled any activity on disposition of the facility and the planned sale. Probate will hopefully determine nexts steps with the hope PAC will go on the open market for sale. It is roughly estimated around $5 million.

Dominic Waters, Nikki’s son, Marion’s grandson, is actively pursuing a few opportunities with some interested parties and the family. These include both nonprofit and business routes.  But there is nothing definitive.  

We are still hanging on to a thread of hope for the first and only Black-owned indoor tennis club to carry on. According to USTA, the Northern Oregon region has the highest increase of tennis participation, the most rain, and a scarcity of indoor tennis courts (about 21 times below the national goal). 

Majority of the people who responded to our survey have not found another tennis club and would return if it would reopen.

If you or someone you know would be interested in investing in PAC, please contact Dominic Blackburn dwaters@crossoverpdx.com or Sam Sirkin samsirkin@gmail.com 

Please spread the word and keep hope alive.

The Save PAC Team