Pickleball Facilities Transforming Northeast Wisconsin: The Association of Pickleball Professionals reports that nearly 50 million adults in the U.S. have played pickleball at least once. As winter approaches, indoor pickleball facilities across Northeast Wisconsin are gearing up to keep the pickleball momentum going strong year-round. Here’s a closer look at some key facilities in the area and what they have to offer.
Next Level Pickleball: A Personal Touch in Little Chute
Next Level Pickleball (NLP) opened its doors in the summer of 2024, conveniently located off Interstate 41 near Appleton. Co-owner Mark Biesack admits to a personal motivation for launching this facility.
“If I’m completely transparent, it’s a little bit selfish. I just kind of wanted my own pickleball court. With the growing community of players and the growing expansion of outdoor infrastructure for pickleball, indoor has kind of lagged in keeping up with that. I knew this was a need in the community.” – (Biesack)
NLP boasts a full court alongside a practice half court, a ping pong table, television, and Bluetooth access. Biesack emphasizes ease of use for members and guests.
“We make it really easy where there are just two separate court prices, one for member groups and one for non-member groups, and they’re very similar to each other. You get our main court, you get our dink and drill court, you get the ping pong table, you get the TV, you can put your Bluetooth music on and have it just to yourself for a group of friends or family or whatever it might be to try out the sport. Or, if you’re really into the sport, to just have a court where you’re not surrounded by a bunch of other people.” – (Biesack)
With strong community support, Biesack anticipates a bustling winter season as players seek indoor options. NLP plans to expand soon, adding a second location.
“I play a lot up in Green Bay, I know a lot of the players up there as well, so we’ve already signed a lease up there. We plan to open mid to late November, maybe December 1 by the very latest. We know there’s a need, and we want to help fill that need.” – (Biesack)
Pickle & Bags: A Premier Destination in Oshkosh
Located near the EAA grounds in Oshkosh, Pickle & Bags was founded by Jeff Ehrike in November 2023. His vision was to create a premier indoor venue for Wisconsin pickleball players during the colder months.
“We’ve been just trying to get awareness that we’re here. Once people are actually in the doors, they love the place, which is a good sign.” – (Ehrike)
Ehrike, who transitioned to pickleball after closing his gym during the pandemic, recognized the sport’s rapid growth and the lack of indoor facilities.
“I realized how this sport is growing so fast, the fastest-growing sport in the country, and the demand is so much larger than the supply. Especially for indoors.” – (Ehrike)
The facility features four courts, a bar, and hosts learn-to-play groups, leagues, tournaments, and open play. In addition, Pickle & Bags organizes cornhole events and concerts.
“It’s very rewarding when you see it come together and other people are enjoying themselves and having a great time. When you bring joy to other people, when you bring other people what they’re looking for, it’s very rewarding, internally.” – (Ehrike)
The Pickleball Connection: Building Community in Manitowoc
Gary Underwood’s journey to create an indoor pickleball facility involved a stroke of inspiration.
“A friend was a pastor at the church here and he said ‘Why don’t you build it behind the church?’ We just put it right behind there and kind of worked off their name, Connection Church, so we’re The Pickleball Connection.” – (Underwood)
Underwood identified a need for a climate-controlled facility along the Lake Michigan shoreline where enthusiasts could enjoy pickleball year-round.
“We were able to build everything from the ground up so we could design everything into it that was perfect for the sport. Optimized for activity.” – (Underwood)
Drawing players from Door County to Sheboygan, The Pickleball Connection hosts tournaments, introductory lessons every Tuesday at 5:30, and recreational play.
“It’s a great activity. It doesn’t require a lot of skill, a lot of effort, but to master the game takes a long, long time. It’s just the high level of activity and the fact that it is so social.” – (Underwood)
The Picklr Green Bay: Opening Winter 2024
Set to debut this winter, The Picklr will feature 7 indoor courts spanning 20,000 square feet. This facility will offer high-quality outdoor-style surfacing, a full pro shop, private event space, and unlimited league play, tournaments, and open play. Green Bay Packers Hall of Famer Mark Tauscher is part of the investment group bringing this facility to life.
“We love looking outside and seeing people play pickleball all over the place. What The Picklr provides is consistent, fantastic court surfacing. You have the climate control, no wind, no puddles on a rainy day. You have consistent conditions.” – (CJ Murray, director of investor relations for Murko Capital Corp)
Upcoming Facility: Pickleball Kingdom in Appleton
Anticipated to open in November 2024, Pickleball Kingdom will join the growing indoor pickleball scene in Appleton. Like The Picklr, this facility will feature indoor courts, lessons, leagues, and tournaments for players of various skill levels.
News in Brief: Pickleball Facilities Transforming Northeast Wisconsin
As the popularity of pickleball surges across the U.S., Northeast Wisconsin is stepping up its indoor offerings to cater to players year-round. Notable facilities include Next Level Pickleball in Little Chute, which opens a second location soon, and Pickle & Bags in Oshkosh, providing a vibrant environment for players.
The Pickleball Connection in Manitowoc emphasizes community engagement, while The Picklr in Green Bay is set to launch this winter with top-notch amenities. Lastly, Pickleball Kingdom is slated for a November 2024 opening, adding to the area’s growing pickleball scene.
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