The healthy living and fitness complex developer The Pickleball Club does not intend to get left behind in the currently hectic race for new pickleball facilities. It has designs on a new five-acre development in Palm Beach, California, and a 3½-acre plot in Orlando, Florida, as part of a nationwide expansion.
These two new developments will follow in the footsteps of its first facility, built in Sarasota, Florida, by Brian McCarthy and Matt Gordon.
Greenacres, Palm Beach County
The 4.9-acre site under contract in Greenacres, Palm Beach County, California, is expected to become a private, membership-based facility, opening in 2025.
Sixteen Indoor Courts
The Sarasota-based company has secured the predominantly vacant site at 5234 S. Haverhill Road from Palm Beach Christian Preparatory School. It is situated just south of Tradewinds Middle School.
The Pickleball Club envisions the development of a 41,140-square-foot facility on this site, featuring 16 indoor pickleball courts, three covered outdoor courts, two bocce ball courts, a 3,850-square-foot player’s lounge, a pro shop, and a café. Additionally, provision has been made for 184 parking spaces.
Groundbreaking is scheduled for June 2024, with the facility expected to open in the summer of 2025.
An Ideal Governmental Partner
Commenting on the partnership, Brian McCarthy, CEO of the Pickleball Club, remarked, “From our very first interaction with Greenacres leadership, when they reached out to us, we knew we had an ideal governmental partner.
“Greenacres is a superb location for us, with over a million people living within a 25-minute average drive from the location.”
Orlando, Florida
The Pickleball Club inaugurated a members-only establishment in Sarasota earlier this year and is poised to replicate this success with a similar venture in Orlando.
Twelve Indoor Courts
The company has secured a 3.4-acre parcel at 1427 N. Semoran Boulevard, strategically positioned between Orlando and Winter Park and to the east of Baldwin Park.
Plans are underway to submit a proposal to Orange County for a climate-controlled facility spanning 33,800 square feet. This facility will house 12 indoor pickleball courts, accompanied by 130 parking spaces.
In addition, a players’ courtyard will feature two outdoor pickleball courts and two bocce ball courts.
Player’s Lounge
The Orlando venue will also boast a 3,900-square-foot players’ lounge mezzanine, affording a commanding view of the courts, along with the company’s own dining establishment, Pickle’s Café, and Dink’s Pro Shop.
Anticipated groundbreaking is set for June 2024, with doors projected to open in the summer of 2025. This establishment will mark the company’s eighth location.
Founder Brian McCarthy expressed his enthusiasm about the Orlando venture, stating, “We’re really excited about the Orlando location.” He revealed to GrowthSpotter that the company is actively scouting for additional club locations, with plans for potentially two or three more clubs in Orlando alone.
Private indoor courts are in demand in South Florida as the demand for public ones often leads to extended wait times, exacerbated by the frequent afternoon showers that disrupt play.
The Pickleball Club
The Pickleball Club’s inaugural establishment, situated near Lakewood Ranch in Sarasota, Florida, opened its doors in May and has already reached an impressive membership base of nearly 600.
Six New Locations
In addition to the existing locations in Palm Beach and Orlando, the company has ambitious plans to establish new clubs in Port St. Lucie, Bonita Springs, Fort Myers, the Villages, Pinellas Park, and Venice.
The Pickleball Club’s approach hinges on meeting the substantial, unmet demand for a premium indoor sports experience exclusively dedicated to pickleball.
Each club in the company’s portfolio is meticulously designed, spanning between 34,000 to 50,000 square feet. They feature 12 to 16 indoor pickleball courts, complemented by multiple outdoor courts, an outdoor activity center, Dink’s Pro Shop, Pickles Café, opulent locker room facilities, and ample socializing space.
Meticulous Design
Founder McCarthy emphasized, “I wanted to develop a club concept that caters to people who play frequently.” While courts are exclusively reserved for members, the club extends an invitation to the public for youth and adult teaching clinics under the banner of Pickleball University.
Membership entails a one-time joining fee of $1,000, accompanied by a monthly individual fee of $125. Family memberships are available at an initiation cost of $2,500, with a monthly fee of $250.
McCarthy highlighted the club’s meticulous design details, including 28-foot ceilings, advanced HV/AC systems ensuring purified air, upgraded LED lighting and acoustics, and the use of cork floors.
He explained, “The floors are very expensive… but it’s important because you want it to be the same experience inside and outside to get a consistent bounce. Bounce is really important. The ball doesn’t bounce the same on a gym floor as it does on cork.”
Each club implements a one-time initiation fee in addition to the monthly membership charge.
