Branford’s New Sports Club: The Hinding Group, known for its expertise in building recreational facilities, is set to launch its most ambitious project yet. The Smash Padel and Pickle Club, located next to their Branford office at 61 East Industrial Road, is scheduled to open in January or February.
The new facility will feature two indoor and two outdoor padel courts, along with six dedicated pickleball courts. Padel, a sport that combines elements of pickleball, squash, and racquetball, has seen rapid growth globally, particularly in Spain and Latin America.
The club’s amenities will include food catered daily by a New Haven restaurateur, craft beer, wine, and cocktails. Visitors can enjoy games from two mezzanines, and the facility will offer locker rooms, showers, and spaces for corporate events and parties. Plans include a stretch lab/weight training area, hot tub, and cold plunge pool.
The Hinding brothers, Tom and Steve, are riding the wave of pickleball’s popularity and padel’s swift rise. “Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the USA,” Tom Hinding noted. “Padel might be the fastest-growing sport globally right now.” The sport boasts over 30 million players in more than 130 countries.
In the U.S., padel is gaining traction, with Miami leading the way. Tom Hinding is confident that padel will catch on in Connecticut, despite its current novelty. The Hinding Group recently installed “pop-up” padel courts at Guilford Racquet and Swim Club, which drew significant interest from players.
The project, originally estimated at $2.8 million, has faced cost increases of 35 to 40 percent due to rising labor and insurance expenses. Despite these challenges, the Hinding Group is enthusiastic about the new venture. They recently renamed the club from All World Pickle and Padel to Smash Pickle and Padel Club for a catchier appeal.
Padel, which involves more movement and a faster pace compared to pickleball, is expected to attract a diverse range of players, including younger and middle-aged athletes. The Hinding Group’s work, which includes building and resurfacing approximately 400 tennis, pickleball, and basketball courts annually, continues to focus heavily on pickleball, reflecting its growing popularity.
The Hinding brothers, despite not having backgrounds in racket sports, have made significant contributions to the field. Steve Hinding started his career in tennis court construction and expanded into golf greens, while Tom Hinding, who recently took up pickleball, has been involved in various international projects, including renovating tennis courts in Havana.
The Smash Padel and Pickle Club represents the Hinding Group’s commitment to meeting the evolving demands of recreational sports enthusiasts and providing top-notch facilities for padel and pickleball.
News in Brief: Branford’s New Sports Club
The Hinding Group is set to open the Smash Padel and Pickle Club in Branford by early 2024. The ambitious project will feature two indoor and two outdoor padel courts, six pickleball courts, and a host of amenities including daily catering, craft beer, and a hot tub.
With padel growing rapidly worldwide, the club aims to attract a diverse range of players. Despite rising costs, the Hinding brothers remain enthusiastic about the venture, which highlights their commitment to innovative recreational facilities.
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