New Orleans is known for innovation, so it is no surprise that the city is getting in on the ground floor of the pickleball phenomenon.
In mid-2023, New Orleans will welcome The Exchange Pickleball + Bar, the Gulf South’s first pickleball venue to combine indoor and outdoor courts with food and beverages.
The Exchange joins many public and private recreational facilities in the area with available pickleball courts, offering players of all ages and comfort levels the opportunity to partake in the country’s fastest-growing sport.
Dink & Dine at The Exchange
Redevelopment of the 70-year-old, 21,000-square-foot warehouse in the Lower Garden District is expected to be complete in July 2023, with six air-conditioned indoor courts, one outdoor court, and a patio area.
It will house pickleball leagues, clinics, tournaments, food trucks, and live music.
The facility will also serve as an entertainment venue for conventions, corporate events, and tourists, accommodating as many as 500 people.
The Exchange embodies the essence of pickleball, a healthy and social sport. A game as popular with Gen Z as Baby Boomers, it is gaining traction in cities worldwide, which is something the facility hopes to usher into New Orleans.
With nearly five million players nationwide, a nearly 40 percent increase from 2020, pickleball is growing like wildflowers. The Exchange plans to stand out from the rest of the estimated 35,000 courts in the U.S. with its unique flair, combining music, dining, entertainment, and competition.
The Exchange will allow interested parties to make reservations on an app called Court Reserve for $40, or $10 a head. They’re also considering offering memberships, allowing avid pickleballers to take advantage of exclusivity and discounts.
The investment in the pickleball craze will boost the Lower Garden District, bringing in locals and tourists alike. The attraction will incorporate friendship, sport, and community, giving New Orleans residents a new source of pride.
Pickleball is here to stay; the only question is, will New Orleanians stick around for a burger and a brew?
