Pickle at the Palms Seattle Opening: A new indoor pickleball center called Pickle at the Palms has started construction in Interbay, Seattle. The 54,000-square-foot venue is being built on the former Salmon Bay Village lot near 15th Avenue West and is expected to open in 2026.
The facility is owned by Seattle Storm co-owner Ginny Gilder. Her daughter, Sierra Gilder, and son-in-law, Kyle Schraeder, are helping lead the project. Kyle Schraeder will also be the general manager. Crews began work in early July, clearing out brush and preparing the area.
“We’re just breaking ground, really removing all the brush that was there before,” said Kyle Schraeder. “And then we’re starting to build the bones of Pickle at the Palms.”
From Shelter Site to Sports Center
The location used to be a safe parking lot called Salmon Bay Village. It was run by the Low Income Housing Institute and gave shelter to about 50 people living in 30 RVs and 10 tiny homes. The program closed in May when its lease ended.
Kyle Schraeder shared that they had thought about including housing in the plan but decided to focus on what they knew best.
“Multifamily was harder for us to push and a little bit more challenging within the space,” Schraeder said. “We just love sports. We wanted to get back into something that we know — something I personally can help manage.”
A New Option for Pickleball Players
Pickle at the Palms is being designed for all types of players, from casual to competitive. It is meant to be a premium space, not a replacement for free public courts.
“There should be an opportunity to play outside for free as well,” said Schraeder. “This is just a more premium experience that allows someone to have a controlled time on when they want to actually play.”
He also mentioned how pickleball is becoming more popular in Seattle and across the country.
“We have little hubs around the city — Green Lake, Magnolia, Rainier Beach — but we don’t have an indoor dedicated facility,” said Schraeder. “With the other facilities starting to pop up, not only nationwide but here in Seattle, it’s nice that we have the ability to start connecting and collaborating together to continue to grow the sport.”
Concerns Over Displaced Residents
While many welcome the new facility, not everyone is happy. Some people are worried about those who had to leave Salmon Bay Village when it shut down.
Penny Fuller, an 82-year-old pickleball player from Magnolia, said she’s excited for indoor courts but also concerned.
“Where do those people now live?” she asked. “Yeah, it is a problem.”
KING 5 asked the Low Income Housing Institute if a new spot has been chosen for the RV program but did not receive a reply.
News in Brief: Pickle at the Palms Seattle Opening
Pickle at the Palms, a 54,000-square-foot indoor pickleball center, is under construction in Interbay, Seattle. Built on a former RV shelter site, it’s led by Ginny Gilder, Sierra Gilder, and Kyle Schraeder. The facility opens in 2026, raising both excitement and concerns over displaced former residents.