Grand Opening of Pickleball in Toon Town: This Saturday marks the grand opening of Jacksonville’s largest indoor pickleball facility, Toon Town, a 23,000-square-foot complex that promises to be a game-changer for the local sports community.
Originally envisioned by Chance Gerisch as a food truck hub, Toon Town has since changed to focus entirely on pickleball. Boasting six of the city’s seven indoor pickleball courts, Toon Town is set to become the epicenter of the sport on the First Coast. Nestled in the shadows of EverBank Stadium, the facility offers amenities that are unparalleled in the region.
“Toon Town is a crazy place,” says Richard Parkes, a partner in the venture. “We have paintings all over the outside. Paintings inside. We’re not a sterile pickleball environment. This is a fun, welcoming environment, different from anything you’re going to see in the pickleball landscape.”
The facility’s attractions are manifold, enticing players during its soft opening period with features such as outdoor playing surfaces, giant ceiling fans, 85-inch televisions at every court, cameras to capture and record gameplay, and a beer and wine bar. Most importantly, it provides shelter from the elements—rain, wind, and sun.
Parkes also highlights a forthcoming innovation: a self-service bar featuring draft beer dispensers with facial recognition and self-pay options.
Membership at Toon Town offers flexibility and value. The website lists five different membership tiers. The least expensive annual membership is $175, allowing access to open play any day and time, availability permitting, for a $12 entry fee. There is also a $100 yearly membership fee for players with a 5.0 or higher pickleball rating. Non-members can join in for a $25 fee. Further details on membership pricing and facility rental for events or office space are available on their website.
Despite the availability of free courts scattered around Jacksonville, the sport’s rapid growth has made securing a spot increasingly challenging. Parkes acknowledges this surge in popularity. “Pickleball has been around since 1965, but in the last three years, it has grown exponentially,” he explains. “The City’s not going to be able to keep up with the court demand for people that need courts. It’s so far behind that they’re going to have a hard time catching up to that demand.”
The grand opening of Toon Town will take place on Saturday, June 8, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the corner of East Church Street and Talleyrand Avenue, just east of EverBank Stadium. The event promises free open play, and giveaways from local businesses like the Jumbo Shrimp, Sweet Pete’s, Intuition, Kava & Co., and more.
Looking ahead, Toon Town’s first tournament is scheduled for July 27 and 28. Additional details can be found on their website, marking the start of what promises to be an exciting new chapter for pickleball enthusiasts in Jacksonville.
News In Brief: Grand Opening of Pickleball in Toon Town:
This Saturday, Jacksonville will welcome its largest indoor pickleball facility, Toon Town, a 23,000-square-foot complex near EverBank Stadium. Initially conceived as a food truck hub by Chance Gerisch, Toon Town has evolved into a pickleball-centric venue featuring six of the city’s seven indoor courts. Partner Richard Parkes describes the facility as a vibrant, fun space adorned with paintings and equipped with amenities like outdoor courts, giant ceiling fans, 85-inch TVs, gameplay cameras, and a beer and wine bar. A unique self-service bar with facial recognition for draft beer is also planned.
Membership options range from $175 annually for open play access with a $12 entry fee, to $100 yearly for top-rated players, with non-member access at $25 per session. The grand opening on June 8 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. will feature free play and giveaways from local businesses. Toon Town’s first tournament is set for July 27-28, marking a significant addition to Jacksonville’s sports community and addressing the growing demand for pickleball courts.
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