Washington Pickleball Court Expansion: Pickleball is booming across the country, and Washington is no exception. In 2024, Side Out Pickleball Centers, Rally Pickleball Club, and The Picklr announced several new indoor courts across the state, aiming to meet growing demand for the fast-growing sport. These facilities are set to open in Everett, Seattle, Auburn, Tacoma, and Federal Way, with others planned soon.
The Sports & Fitness Industry Association said pickleball was the fastest-growing sport in the U.S. for the fourth year in a row. In 2024, 19.8 million people played the game — a 45.8% jump from 2023 and a 311% rise since 2021. The report also said the average yearly growth since 2021 was 61.1%.
New Courts Open and More on the Way
Side Out Pickleball Centers opened its first indoor facility in Everett in December. The center has eight courts and is located at 2716 119th Street Southwest. The company is also building a new, much larger location in Seattle’s Rainier Beach area. The Seattle center will have 26 courts and will open in mid-July.
Side Out Pickleball Centers is led by Dale Garnett from Bellevue and Frank Espinoza from Woodinville. The new center is being developed in partnership with real estate company Prologis and the Seattle Tsunami, a team in the National Pickleball League.
The 98,577-square-foot Seattle facility is inside a former bottling plant at 2300 26th Avenue South. It is located between Martin Luther King Jr. Way South and Rainier Avenue South. The building was once 160,000 square feet and will be partly converted for pickleball use.
According to Side Out’s December press release, “We’ve had a lot of memberships and people ready to play,” Dale Garnett said after the Everett facility opened.
The Everett center features cushioned courts and pro-level lighting. It offers memberships, court rentals, lessons, and tournaments. There is also a pro shop with paddles, gear, and clothing.
Side Out Tsunami will be the official home of the Seattle Tsunami team. The team competes in the National Pickleball League, a league for players aged 50 and older. The facility includes stadium courts with live video streaming and will host big tournaments like PPA and USA Pickleball events.
The Seattle Tsunami roster includes players from cities across Washington: Clyde Hill, Gig Harbor, Kent, Newcastle, Seattle, and Snohomish. The NPL’s 2025 Championships will be held at the Seattle facility from October 17 to 19.
“We’re thrilled to partner with Side Out Pickleball Centers as we continue to grow Seattle Tsunami’s presence in the National Pickleball League and the Pacific Northwest,” said Stephan Keller, owner of the Seattle Tsunami. “Their top-tier facilities and commitment to the sport perfectly align with our mission to inspire and elevate pickleball players across all levels.”
James Main, general manager of Seattle Tsunami, said the new center would help bring “high-level, high-profile tournaments and players to the community” and strengthen Seattle’s position as a “premier destination for pickleball excellence.”
Rick Kolpa, senior vice president of Prologis, said his company is working with Side Out to “deliver a space that will support its business operations.”
Frank Espinoza added, “We relish the opportunity to provide increased access to everyone and continue growing this game we all love with the best courts, lighting, instruction, retail, and programming anywhere.”
More Pickleball Clubs Join the Wave
In May, Rally Pickleball Club signed a lease for 43,959 square feet in Auburn. The new club will have 15 pro-level indoor courts at 2703 C Street Southwest, Suite A1. It is expected to open this summer.
Rally Pickleball Club is run by local families and is veteran-owned. Founding partners include Dillon Eugenio, Chris Pierce, Randy Fuller, and Dave Wilcox. The club will offer league play, private court rentals, tournaments, events, and programs focused on the community.
Also in May, The Picklr — a Utah-based indoor pickleball franchise — shared plans to open two new clubs in the South Sound. One location is in Tacoma, and another is in Federal Way.
The Picklr Tacoma will open in a 43,000-square-foot building at 2401 North Pearl Street and will have 12 courts. It includes two championship-sized courts and is expected to open in September. Beau Brooks and Kami Brooks own the Tacoma franchise.
The Picklr Federal Way will be inside the old LA Fitness building at 27417 Pacific Highway South. The space is 42,000 square feet and will include 13 courts, two of them championship size. It is set to open before the end of the year. Sanket Mehta and Manish Kapadia are the owners of the Federal Way location.
Both clubs will have outdoor-style surfacing from Just Courts, the court provider for the Professional Pickleball Association. They will also have pro shops, private event spaces, and full membership benefits. Players can enjoy open play, tournaments, lessons, and clinics taught by certified trainers. Memberships will be valid at any Picklr location across the country.
The Picklr is also planning another facility in Seattle’s Fremont neighborhood, according to its website.
Tacoma is already home to The Drop Pickleball Club at 2360 South Fawcett Avenue. It has been operating for two years and was started by Kristen Sexton and Brad Cramer.
Pickleball’s Growing Importance
Pickleball was invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington. To honor its roots, USA Pickleball introduced a new National Championship trophy in October. It recognizes the game’s founders and history.
In 2022, Washington made pickleball the official state sport. This year, the state approved a new pickleball license plate. The plate shows paddles and a ball in front of Mount Rainier. It will be available on November 1 for $40, plus taxes and fees. Renewals will cost $30. Money from the plate will go to the Seattle Metro Pickleball Association for court projects, according to The Seattle Times.
News in Brief: Washington Pickleball Court Expansion
New indoor pickleball centers are opening across Washington, with major facilities planned in Everett, Seattle, Auburn, Tacoma, and Federal Way. These venues will offer top-level courts, events, and community programs. As pickleball becomes more popular, Washington continues to lead the sport’s growth nationwide.
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