Pickleball Gets a Home in Birmingham: Birmingham’s first indoor pickleball facility, The Picklr, is set to open its doors on March 15 at Vestavia Hills Common. Located at 1031 Montgomery Hwy, the facility features 10 indoor courts, including four championship-sized courts, a Pickleball Central Pro Shop, and a community event space. Open daily from 6 a.m. to midnight, The Picklr aims to offer a premier destination for casual and competitive players.
A New Era for Pickleball in Birmingham
The Picklr is the first of its kind in Birmingham, bringing dedicated indoor pickleball courts to a city where the sport is rapidly growing. Ross English, Club Coordinator at The Picklr Birmingham, emphasized the impact of having a high-quality facility.
“We’ve never had a facility at this level in Birmingham, and we could never dedicate this much space to programming. We want people to play as much or be as good as they want to be, and being open 18 hours a day and having 10 courts makes that possible.” – (Ross English)
From Tennis to Pickleball
Patrick Denney, a former tennis player, was drawn into the pickleball community and is now the owner of The Picklr Birmingham. He worked alongside English to bring the project to life. English first discovered pickleball at Crestwood Park, where he was welcomed by local players.
“It was a welcoming point into the city when I moved here. It was a way that I met an abundance of people who welcomed an unknown person onto the court to learn how to compete together.” – (Ross English)
Pickleball’s Growing Popularity
Pickleball, a sport that combines elements of badminton, ping-pong, and tennis, has seen a surge in popularity. With over 60 courts in Birmingham and an estimated 19 million players worldwide, the sport has become a key part of many communities. English highlighted what keeps players engaged.
“I think the communal aspect is the thing that people come back for. It’s that desire to get better with a group of people that makes it the accessible sport we want it to be.” – (Ross English)
The Picklr’s opening marks a new chapter for Birmingham’s pickleball scene, providing players with a dedicated space to enjoy the sport year-round.
News in Brief: Pickleball Gets a Home in Birmingham
The Picklr, Birmingham’s first indoor pickleball hub, opens March 15 at Vestavia Hills Common. The facility features 10 courts, a pro shop, and event space. Open daily from 6 a.m. to midnight, it aims to enhance the local pickleball scene with expanded programming and community engagement.
ALSO READ: The Picklr Expands to North Scottsdale with Eight-Court Indoor Pickleball Facility