The St. Luke’s University Health Network has announced the completion of refurbishments to the former Parkland Pickleball Club in Allentown. The newly expanded multi-sport arena will house the prominent Pickleball Lehigh Valley club, among the largest on the East Coast.
Soft Launch
The company has scheduled a soft launch, which opened on December 26th and welcomes visitors until January 2nd.
Situated at 4636 Crackersport Road, St. Luke’s SportsPLex covers an impressive 75,000 square feet, with the revamped pickleball court complex now bearing the names St. Luke’s SportsPLex and Pickleball Lehigh Valley.
High-Quality Open Play
Mary Jo Cambridge, the operations director for Pickleball Lehigh Valley, expressed, “This is the place for you to find high-quality drilling, open-play, and tournament competitions.”
The complex houses 12 “NBA-quality” hardwood pickleball courts within six 8,000-square-foot “barrels” or bays, along with an additional 12 designated hardcourt pickleball courts. According to a news release, the facility also boasts an event center designed for pickleball activities.
Beyond the Amish-built indoor barrels lies a sprawling 3-acre, 22-court outdoor pickleball field. This expansive outdoor space not only accommodates tournaments but also allows for festivals, offering ample parking on and off-site for national, regional, and local events.
Premier Pickleball Destination
The venue includes a spacious sports-themed event center and a top-notch player lounge. Robert Martin, the chief strategy officer for St. Luke’s, envisions it as the premier pickleball destination in the Northeast.
Robert Martin emphasized, “It’s important for St. Luke’s, responsible for the health and wellbeing of this region, to always be open to new experiences and opportunities. Right here.”
The SportsPLex provides indoor areas for team and individual training. Prospective players interested in joining can explore membership options and facility details at mypickleballlv.com or, if possessing a Court Reserve account, search for Pickleball Lehigh Valley.
Members can enjoy free open play upon making reservations through Court Reserve. A LIMITED holiday schedule is in place for members.
Soaring Popularity
Pickleball’s soaring popularity and inclusivity are evident as Lower Nazareth Township plans to add six pickleball courts to Louise W. Moore Park, and a Palmer Township developer eyes installing courts at a forthcoming 252-unit apartment complex.
John Hauth, senior network administrator of sports medicine relationships at St. Luke’s University Health Network, shared, “The demand to open has been so tremendous, we’ve decided to do a soft opening and get people playing pickleball. We anticipate that memberships will go fast. This is a one-of-a-kind.”
About Pickleball Lehigh Valley
PLV offers four places to play
- Grange Park at 360 Grange Road, Allentown, PA 18106
Its 12 dedicated outdoor courts are open from dawn till dusk every day and are free to use.
- The Jewish Community Center at 702 N 22nd Street, Allentown, PA 18104.
Please call to confirm opening times and pricing.
- Linberg Park at 2800 Lindberg Park, Allentown, PA 18103
Its two dedicated outdoor courts are open from dawn to dusk every day and are free to use.
- YMCA Allenton at 425 15th Street. Allentown, PA 18102
Please call to confirm opening times and pricing.
About The Lehigh Valley
The Lehigh Valley, known colloquially as The Valley, is a geographic and metropolitan region formed by the Lehigh River in Lehigh and Northampton Counties in eastern Pennsylvania.
It is a component valley of the Great Appalachian Valley bounded to its north by Blue Mountain, to its south by South Mountain, to its west by Lebanon Valley, and its east by the Delaware River and Warren County, New Jersey.
The Valley is about 40 miles (64 km) long and 20 miles (32 km) wide.
The Lehigh Valley’s largest city is Allentown, the third-largest city in Pennsylvania and the county seat of Lehigh County, with a population of 125,845 residents as of the 2020 census.
Allentown is about 50 miles north of Philadelphia.
