Pickleball Kingdom Walker Indoor Courts: The City of Walker will soon get a major new business focused on the nation’s fastest growing sport. Pickleball Kingdom, an indoor facility with 16 courts, is set to open by early 2026 at the corner of Highway 447 and Pendarvis Lane. Demolition work on the site is starting this week.
The company behind the project is Pickleball Kingdom, based in Arizona. The business has grown quickly as more Americans of all ages are picking up paddles. Walker Mayor Jimmy Watson and City of Walker Finance Director Mike Cotton both said they expect the new facility to help the local economy.
A Busy Location with History
The building was once a Winn-Dixie grocery store. It later became Furniture Gallery after the 2016 flood. Now, it will become a place for hundreds of players to gather for tournaments and events.
Mike Cotton said,
“We want the benefits of having people come up on the weekends or these are four-day tournaments.”
Mayor Jimmy Watson added,
“So, of course, that brings money into the city that we’d love to see.”
Big Growth in Pickleball Popularity
Pickleball is booming across the country. A 2024 report showed nearly 20 million Americans played the sport—a jump of almost 46% from 2023.
Pickleball Coach Cindy Morris said,
“The pickleball demographic used to be mainly older people and now the fastest growing sector of pickleball is young people between the ages of 15 and 35.”
Cindy Morris also shared that at Stacks, a facility in Baton Rouge, players range in age from 6 to 83.
Plans for the Facility
Ransom Pipes, a broker with Maestri Murrell, explained that Pickleball Kingdom will not be a restaurant-style venue. “This is strictly pickleball,” said Ransom Pipes.
The building will offer drinks and quick snacks like protein bars. Some alcohol may also be sold.
Nearby, Sombreros Mexican Restaurant plans to build a new location next door. Owner Tommy Stojak expects to start construction in August 2025 and finish within 12 months.
Ransom Pipes noted that construction on Pickleball Kingdom could be done by December, but the public opening is set for early 2026. The facility is now accepting applications for a general manager.
Boost to Local Recreation
Mike Cotton shared that the city has already seen success adding new sports. A new disc golf course behind Stine’s store recorded 1,500 rounds played in its first month. Cotton predicts it could be among the top five courses in Louisiana.
Mayor Jimmy Watson said the city has been looking for more activities for residents and had considered adding pickleball courts themselves. This new project, which came together in January 2025, saves the city the cost of building courts.
A Positive Future for Walker
The mix of pickleball, disc golf, and new restaurants is expected to draw visitors and give locals more to do. With nearly 34,000 cars passing the site daily, the location is seen as a prime spot for success.
News in Brief: Pickleball Kingdom Walker Indoor Courts
Walker will open a 16-court Pickleball Kingdom in early 2026 at Highway 447 and Pendarvis Lane. The project, led by Pickleball Kingdom of Arizona, hopes to boost the city’s economy and recreation options. A new Sombreros Mexican Restaurant will also be built next door.
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