If you live in the Capital District around Albany, New York, you really are spoiled for choice when it comes to pickleballing opportunities. In addition to the already established facilities, we bring you news of three more developments.
Xtreme Pickle
Xtreme Pickle, situated at 1800 Riverfront Center in Amsterdam, celebrated its soft opening on October 7. It marks the inauguration of the first dedicated indoor pickleball venue in Amsterdam and its immediate vicinity.
Owned by Mike Barker, Xtreme Pickle was conceived and constructed by General Manager Corina Gabriel. The facility boasts four indoor pickleball courts with top-tier outdoor surfaces.
Apart from open play sessions, they are set to host a range of events, including tournaments, leagues, training sessions, and introductory clinics.
Bring Your Own Paddles
Gabriel said, “Now, with the cold weather approaching, the only option before we opened was to travel over an hour to find a court or to play on makeshift courts with wooden gym floors.”
She also mentioned that although some cosmetic work is pending, the courts are functional. Xtreme Pickle already has numerous games scheduled throughout the week.
Players are required to bring their own paddles and balls for play. However, for training sessions and clinics, Xtreme Pickle will provide the necessary equipment.
While the facility has recently opened its doors, Barker and Gabriel are already exploring potential spaces to extend their pickleball community beyond Amsterdam.
Tremendous Response
Gabriel expressed, “The response has been tremendous. There are already a large number of pickleball players with limited courts and new players are wanting to learn every day.”
At present, Xtreme Pickle operates from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, with plans to adjust hours to accommodate its members better. Day passes and monthly memberships can be purchased through the Xtreme Pickle website.
True Pickleball
Meanwhile, True Pickleball inaugurated a new indoor facility in Latham on October 20. True Pickleball’s expansive 20,000 sq. ft. building houses six full-size courts, along with a pro shop and cabanas. The club offers lessons and tournaments, aiming to involve a wider audience in the sport.
Mike Bibbo, Co-Owner, emphasized, “Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in America. If you haven’t heard of it, you will now!
Think of this as something like a semi-private golf course; there’s nothing like it in the Capital Region.” Memberships are available, and additional information can be found on their website.
Don’t forget to sign up for their fall tournament!
Capital District YMCA
New pickleball courts have been unveiled at the Capital District YMCA, specifically at the Southern Saratoga Branch.
These four new outdoor courts will cater to league play, lessons, and skills workshops.
The YMCA facilities offer a spectrum of pickleball programs, ranging from cardio pickleball to leagues and more.
Four facilities in total – Southern Saratoga YMCA, Greene County YMCA, Guilderland YMCA, and Bethlehem Area YMCA – incorporate pickleball in their offerings.
