Matt’s Pickle and Padel to Open in March: A 30,500-square-foot warehouse in Aleppo, Pennsylvania, is being transformed into a state-of-the-art pickleball and padel facility.
Set to open by early March, Matt’s Pickle and Padel will feature four indoor padel courts and six indoor pickleball courts, making it the first facility of its kind in Western Pennsylvania. The project is led by Matt Ferrari, CEO of Gamma Sports, a Pittsburgh-based tennis and pickleball equipment company.
Bringing Padel to Pittsburgh
Padel, a fast-growing racquet sport, is played in an enclosed court with glass walls, similar to platform tennis. The game is mostly played in doubles, using a smaller, softer tennis-like ball and rackets without strings. The sport originated in Mexico and gained popularity in Europe before expanding to the U.S.
“There are a total of 180 padel courts in the U.S., and we will have four of them,” said Josh Taylor-Martin, vice president for Matt’s Pickle and Padel. The facility’s padel courts, imported from Spain, are expected to arrive this month.
A New Hub for Racquet Sports
The new facility is strategically located near Interstate 79 and Route 65, making it accessible to players from various communities.
“Various communities can access it. We want to have something for everyone. It’s about embracing the community. There is a lot of buzz and excitement about this.” – (Taylor-Martin)
Pickleball, the fastest-growing sport in the U.S., will also be a major focus at the facility. While pickleball uses a paddle larger than a ping pong paddle, padel rackets are solid, short, and perforated. Both sports are popular due to their smaller court sizes, allowing players of all ages to participate.
Ferrari believes padel and pickleball provide a unique social and business networking opportunity. “The sports are also viewed by some as the new golf, where business people connect on the court,” he said. The pickleball courts will also be available for corporate team-building events.
Membership and Accessibility
The facility offers multiple membership options, including student, senior, and regular plans. There will also be professionals on-site to provide lessons for all skill levels.
“If you play twice a week or more, a membership would be great for you. We invite people to come out and have fun.” – (club manager Jason Belcher)
Pickleball will be available at an hourly rate, while padel sessions will be priced per 90-minute play. The club will provide equipment for players to try, including adaptive equipment for those with special needs.
“We want to knock down any barriers there are for people who want to try this. We know what we do well and that is rackets — so this was a natural extension.” – (Matt Ferrari)
Amie Stanton, vice president of marketing for Gamma Sports, emphasized the facility’s welcoming environment.
“This is a place where a community of people who enjoy playing racquet sports can play. Gamma has always been super player-focused. When you try something new, it can be intimidating. We don’t want that. We want this to be enjoyable. We want people to never stop playing.” – (Matt Ferrari)
Matt’s Pickle and Padel, located at 301 Deer Run Road in Aleppo, is scheduled to host its grand opening on March 29. The facility will operate daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
News in Brief: Matt’s Pickle and Padel to Open in March
Matt’s Pickle and Padel, featuring Western Pennsylvania’s first indoor padel courts, is set to open in early March. The facility, led by Gamma Sports CEO Matt Ferrari, will also include six pickleball courts. It aims to serve players of all skill levels with membership options and professional coaching.
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