Pickleball Facilities and Clubs: Pickleball has become a staple at United Senior Services in Springfield, Ohio, where doubles matches fill a multipurpose room three times a day on weekdays and twice on Saturdays. Seniors eagerly wait their turn, placing paddles in line and watching games unfold before stepping onto the court. For players like Don Whitmore, the game is more than just a pastime—it’s a community.
“If you don’t score any points, they call it getting pickled. It happens sometimes where somebody’s played a lot better than you did and you end up 11 to nothing.” – (Whitmore)
Demand for pickleball at the senior center has nearly tripled since 2023, with some players even braving winter storms to get to the courts.
“We’ve come down here and it stormed out and we had to shovel our way out. Got in here, dry your shoes off real good, and there’ll be 12 people ready to play.” – (Whitmore)
Pickleball’s Rapid Growth and New Facilities in the Region
Invented in 1965 in Washington state, pickleball saw steady growth until 2020, when its popularity surged. Since 2021, it has been named the fastest-growing sport by the Sports and Fitness Industry Association.
This demand has led to new dedicated pickleball facilities across Ohio. Cities like Dayton, Hamilton, and Springfield have converted tennis courts or built outdoor pickleball courts, while private businesses are investing in indoor options.
One major addition is Black Barn Pickleball, a 75,000-square-foot indoor facility set to open off U.S. 35 in southeast Dayton. Co-founder Mike Bettencourt, a longtime player in the Miami Valley, noted the need for more courts.
“The issue is there’s so many people that you may play one game and then have to sit out for 20 or 30 minutes and wait for your second game.” – (Bettencourt)
Black Barn Pickleball will offer 26 dedicated courts and a bar, creating a full pickleball experience.
Other Facilities
- The Pickle Lodge in West Chester, which boasts 17 indoor courts, a restaurant, and a bar.
- Pickleball Kingdom, a nationwide franchise with over 300 indoor facilities, set to open a new location in Centerville this spring. It will offer professional coaching, youth programs, and tournaments.
Pickleball’s Accessibility Draws New Players
Pickleball’s appeal lies in its easy-to-learn nature and intergenerational accessibility. Five Seasons Sports Club in Dayton has embraced the sport, painting lines on its indoor tennis courts and adding pickleball lessons to its offerings.
“It’s intergenerational and a very accessible sport. You can pretty much learn how to play the first time you ever play,” said Rob Lehner, head of racquet sports at Five Seasons.
New players start by understanding the court size, which is about half the size of a tennis court, and learning the unique bounce of the wiffle ball. More advanced players focus on “dinking”, a soft shot just over the net that forces opponents into a tricky return.
“The rules can be a little bit tricky. I think that’s probably one of the biggest things that make pickleball a little bit difficult in the beginning.” – (Lehner)
USA Pickleball, the sport’s governing body, updates the rules annually. Some key rules include:
- Only the serving team can score points.
- Serves must be underhand.
- The ball must bounce once on each side before players can volley.
- Players cannot volley while standing in the kitchen, a seven-foot area closest to the net.
Pickleball’s Growing Presence in Dayton
At Five Seasons, marketing manager Kelsey Shuering has seen firsthand how demand for pickleball continues to rise.
“Every month it’s like, can we get another time? Can we get more pickleball? Can we come earlier? So it’s growing like crazy. If you look around, there’s people of every age here playing at all times of the day.” – (Shuering)
To meet demand, Five Seasons has introduced tournaments, group rentals, and social events like “Pickle and Pints.” While some longtime tennis players were initially hesitant about the sport’s rapid rise, many have started playing pickleball too.
Recognizing the need for better local coordination, Shuering founded the Dayton Pickleball Association in 2023 to serve as a central hub for leagues, courts, and community events.
“I probably get a question daily on, is there a league? Can my kid play? Can I play it? Where can I play? How can I play? I mean, just constant questions of people trying to get involved.” – (Shuering)
The Equipment Rise: What You Need to Play
Pickleball’s rapid popularity has fueled a rising market for equipment, from paddles to shoes. Lori Zackel, who manages Springfield’s pickleball Facebook group, highlighted how easy it is to get started.
“You don’t have to collect a foursome, and that’s I think what hurts tennis these days. With Pickleball, almost any time you can go and drop in.” – (Zackel)
Zackel recommends investing in the right type of court shoes for lateral movement.
“It absolutely helps if you are wearing the right kind of shoes, because those running shoes help propel you forward. In pickleball, you really need lateral motion as well. So you need a court shoe, a volleyball shoe or a tennis shoe.” – (Zackel)
Paddles, on the other hand, can be pricey. Zackel’s paddle cost around $200, and some high-end models sell for $300 or more. At Matchset in Dayton, manager Matt Crutchfield said paddles vary widely in material, shape, surface texture, and handle length. Some emphasize control, while others enhance power or spin.
“You can start off with as cheap of one as you want, But you’ll probably want to upgrade pretty quick because everybody’s going, ‘What is that?’ You know, ‘you need a better paddle.” – (Crutchfield)
In 2024, USA Pickleball approved over 1,200 new paddles and registered 470 new brands, highlighting the growing market. Some brands are even developing quieter paddles to reduce the sport’s signature popping sound.
A Sport That Brings People Together
For Don Whitmore, pickleball has become a lifestyle. He originally joined United Senior Services to use its cardio gym but quickly became hooked after hearing the sound of a match.
“I heard all this racket up here and decided I need to buy a paddle and try this. And it gets in your bloodstream and you can’t get it out.” – (Whitmore)
Despite injuring both knees while playing—once each summer—Whitmore returned to the court within three months each time.
“We’ve had some pretty serious broken wrists and fractured shoulders and things like that from falls. Old folks are more prone to injuries, but it beats sitting on the couch.” – (Whitmore)
Just a few years ago, he didn’t know any of his fellow pickleball players. Now, they’re friends both on and off the court—a testament to the sport’s ability to bring people together.
News in Brief: Pickleball Facilities and Clubs
Pickleball continues to rise in Springfield and Dayton, with indoor and outdoor pickleball facilities expanding to meet demand. The senior center in Springfield has tripled its participation since 2023, while new facilities like Black Barn Pickleball and Pickleball Kingdom are bringing dedicated pickleball courts to the Miami Valley. Local pickleball clubs and businesses are also offering lessons, leagues, and social events, ensuring pickleball remains a sport for all ages.
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