New Pickleball Facility in Bluffton: Bluffton is about to get a major pickleball boost this winter with the opening of The Local Pickle, a cutting-edge, 22,000-square-foot indoor facility. Set to debut between December and January, this new venue at 1204 Fording Island Road, near the Tanger Outlets, promises to be a game-changer for the local pickleball community. Nancy Herbst, the driving force behind the project and a level 4.0 pickle pro, is bringing her vision to life with an impressive lineup of features.
Top-Tier Amenities for Pickleball Enthusiasts
The Local Pickle will boast 11 tournament-grade courts, meticulously designed to enhance gameplay. Players will have the convenience of booking courts through the CourtReserve app. The facility will feature 24-foot ceilings, professional-grade lighting to minimize glare, and pro-cushion flooring to ease back and joint pain.
In addition to the courts, patrons can enjoy a café and lounge, changing rooms, showers, and ample parking. The venue will offer glow-in-the-dark pickleball, a variety of programs for adults and youth, including a premier academy, and lessons from certified instructors.
Herbst’s Journey and Vision
Nancy Herbst’s journey to this project began after she sold her insurance company in Connecticut and relocated to Hilton Head in 2018. Her passion for pickleball ignited when she and her family took a lesson together. Recognizing the limited access to public courts in the area, Herbst saw an opportunity to make a difference.
“This just got a hold of me, and it didn’t let me go,” Herbst reflected on her inspiration to create this facility. She is driven by the desire to provide access to pickleball for all, especially those who may be excluded due to lack of public courts or financial constraints.
Future Plans and Community Impact
The Local Pickle will offer memberships ranging from $30 to $130 per month for individuals and $40 to $200 for families, depending on the chosen tier. Nancy Herbst anticipates a cap of over 1,000 memberships but is open to extending hours or making the courts accessible 24/7 if demand exceeds expectations.
“The bottom line is that I want everyone to have access,” Herbst emphasized. Early interest has been overwhelming, with 600 subscribers within 24 hours of the Facebook announcement. The facility’s interior is currently being revamped, with construction progressing swiftly toward the open-concept vision Herbst has envisioned.
News in Brief: New Pickleball Facility in Bluffton
The Local Pickle, a new indoor pickleball facility in Bluffton, is set to open between December and January. The 22,000-square-foot venue will feature 11 tournament-grade courts, high ceilings, professional lighting, and pro-cushion flooring. It will also offer amenities such as a café, lounge, and changing rooms.
Nancy Herbst, the founder and a level 4.0 pickle pro, initiated the project to address the lack of accessible public courts. Membership rates will range from $30 to $130 per month for individuals and $40 to $200 for families. Interest has been high, with 600 subscribers joining the facility’s Facebook page within 24 hours of the announcement.
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