The Picklr Grove Indoor Pickleball Club: A new indoor pickleball club, The Picklr, has opened in The Grove at Newark, giving residents access to the fast-growing sport. The facility, located in a portion of the former Kmart building, features 12 indoor courts, dink walls for practice, a lounge, pro shop, locker rooms, and a community room.
About The Picklr
Club manager Liam Halsey said,
“We kind of give a different alternative to those that we like to say are pickleball fanatics, those people who like to play more than two hours a day. We have people that come in the morning and then come back in the afternoon.”
The Picklr chain was founded in Utah in 2021 and counts former NFL quarterback Drew Brees as an investor and franchise owner. The Newark location is its first in Delaware, and the chain has more than 500 locations open or under construction.
Membership and Access
The club operates on a membership model, charging $139 per month for unlimited access, with discounts for students, professors, military members, and first responders. Non-members can buy a day pass or rent courts by the hour.
Pickleball combines elements of ping-pong, tennis, and badminton. According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association, nearly 9 million Americans now play the sport, a 150 percent growth in three years. Halsey added,
“Anybody can play. You have kids that are 12 that are kicking butt, and then you have older adults. We have people that are 90 years old that are still playing pickleball.”
Facilities and Community
While outdoor courts exist in the area, such as at Glasgow Park, The Picklr allows play in any weather. Halsey said,
“The wind is blowing too much? Oh, the courts are wet? Oh, it’s raining, or it’s a tsunami outside or it’s snowing or whatever? Too cold? Never a problem here.”
The Newark Picklr already has over 300 members. The club hosts clinics, tournaments, leagues, and social events to build community. Halsey said,
“We’re really trying to build a community here.”
Expansion at The Grove
The Picklr is part of a growing list of businesses at The Grove, formerly College Square Shopping Center. Later this year, Lefty’s Alley and Eats will open in the same building, featuring bowling, axe throwing, Top Golf simulators, an arcade, a small stage, and a full restaurant and bar.
News in Brief: The Picklr Grove Indoor Pickleball Club
The Picklr, an indoor pickleball club, has opened in The Grove at Newark with 12 courts, practice walls, a pro shop, and community space. Founded in Utah and backed by Drew Brees, the club offers memberships, clinics, tournaments, and social events, providing a year-round venue for players of all ages.