Founder’s passion for the sport grew during the pandemic, California Smash reflects his vision to create more than just a gym; it’s a community hub designed to builed connection through recreation, entertainment, and social engagement.
Pickleball Pioneer
Founder Brett Drogmund, whose passion for pickleball ignited during the pandemic, views the sport as more than just a game. “Pickleball is a connector of people,” Brett Drogmund remarked. “I think for so many people, pickleball brought back this frequency of your body. It brought back the ability to be competitive and to feel good and be social and be active. Being active is what older people want. They want to find something and that’s what pickleball is.”
Drogmund, also the visionary behind Skyscraper Productions, recognized the burgeoning demand for entertainment and sports in El Segundo. California Smash represents his latest endeavor in fostering communal engagement through creative projects that transcend traditional fitness offerings.
“I didn’t want to open just a gym where people came in and worked out and sweat and left,” he mentioned. “That’s not what I wanted to offer the community. I wanted to offer the community the ability to connect.”
The club’s expansive 25,000-square-foot facility, secured under a 30-year lease, is currently undergoing a comprehensive $6 million transformation. Scheduled for a December opening, it will feature 10 state-of-the-art pickleball courts accompanied by live music, a spacious dance floor, and a full-service bar and restaurant offering direct court-side service for food and beverages.
Redefining Pickleball
Inspired by the success of entertainment-sports hybrids like Topgolf, Drogmund envisions California Smash as an inclusive hub accessible to all ages and skill levels. Court rentals, priced between $40 to $80 per hour, will be complemented by optional paddle and ball rentals, while innovative lighting and projector systems will enhance the playing experience throughout the day and into themed nights such as glow-in-the-dark and ’80s-themed events.
Gary Horwitz, an executive managing director at Jones Lang LaSalle Inc. involved in locating the club’s inaugural site, praised Drogmund’s visionary approach. “Brett is a visionary,” Horwitz affirmed. “He really is. He’s got incredible ideas and when things are ready to roll, he is moving forward 100 miles an hour.”
Choosing The Place
Choosing to convert an industrial warehouse rather than opt for traditional outdoor courts underscores California Smash’s commitment to innovation in commercial real estate. Bill Bloodgood of Newmark Group Inc. noted the rarity of such conversions, highlighting the club’s pioneering approach in meeting the escalating demand for indoor recreational spaces amidst urban settings.
“In commercial real estate, I don’t think it’s a trend,” Bloodgood mentioned. “I think we will continue to see it in isolated locations, but I don’t think it’s a major trend.”
Pickleball’s exponential growth in America, now boasting 13.6 million players as of 2023, has not been without challenges, including noise complaints associated with outdoor facilities. California Smash’s indoor setup promises a quieter, more neighbor-friendly alternative while catering to the sport’s growing popularity.
Expanding Horizons
El Segundo Councilmember Lance Giroux anticipates positive impacts from California Smash’s arrival, emphasizing the city’s receptivity to innovative ventures that enhance community life and economic vibrancy.
“As a result, we’ve always been a very business-friendly city,” he mentioned. “We’re always trying to figure out what the newest thing or the latest thing is and be able to accommodate space for it. When Brett came in with this idea, I think it was a natural fit.”
With plans to double the number of available courts from eight to sixteen, Drogmund hopes to not only meet local demand but also foster a healthy work-play balance through extended operating hours, strengthening tourism and nightlife in the process.
As California Smash prepares to debut in El Segundo, Brett Drogmund remains optimistic about its potential as a blueprint for future expansions across Southern California. “Pickleball is still in its total infancy,” he said. Ninety percent of the people are just playing on converted tennis courts or playing at a public park, so they haven’t been given this higher-end experience. I think people will flock to it. I think there’s a lot of opportunity in Southern California for us to open more locations. And this is, I hate saying ‘proof of concept’ because I strongly believe that it’s going to be successful, but this is our hopefully first of many.
News in Brief: Pickleball Revamp in El Segundo
California Smash Pickleball and Social Club, founded by Brett Drogmund, is set to revolutionize recreational sports in El Segundo. Opening later this year in a converted warehouse, the club aims to blend competitive pickleball with social interaction. With 10 state-of-the-art courts, live music, and a full-service bar, it promises a vibrant atmosphere for players of all ages and skill levels. Drogmund’s vision emphasizes community connection over traditional gym settings, with plans for themed events and innovative lighting to enhance the experience.
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