New Pickleball Center in St Joseph: Nearly five decades ago, Jack Kinney and his friends envisioned a place for indoor tennis, leading to the establishment of the South Shore Health & Racquet Club in St. Joseph Township. Kinney eventually became the sole owner, and now, the torch has been passed to his granddaughter, Sarah Lancaster, and her husband, Jake Lancaster. “My parents, Jackie and Tony Monte, eventually took ownership and now, my husband and I are third-generation owners,” Sarah Lancaster said Thursday. The latest addition, a dedicated pickleball center, is set to open on Monday.
“Jack Kinney is 91 now, and he still checks on me regularly and walks around the track here,” Lancaster said. “My parents check on us, too.”
Pickleball Expansion and Community Support
With pickleball rapidly gaining popularity as America’s fastest-growing sport, the Lancasters saw an opportunity to innovate. Over a year ago, they applied for a tax break from St. Joseph Township to support a nearly 30,000-square-foot expansion. This development includes eight pickleball courts and a lounge area with a bar. “It’s a welcoming sport for all levels, from very social to very competitive,” Sarah Lancaster said. Local contractors, including Pearson Construction, Courts Unlimited, and TMPR, played crucial roles in bringing the vision to life.
Tax Abatement and Construction Timeline
In June of last year, the St. Joseph Township board approved a resolution to establish a commercial rehabilitation district for the South Shore Health & Racquet Club, marking the first step in the tax abatement process. After a public hearing and subsequent approvals, the Michigan State Tax Commission granted final approval for the tax abatement. This arrangement allows the property owners to pay a commercial rehabilitation tax instead of the usual property tax for up to ten years, with savings reinvested into the new facility.
Upcoming Features and Community Impact
Construction for the pickleball center began a year ago, transitioning from temporary indoor tennis court setups to permanent pickleball courts.
The new facility will offer open-play sessions, tournaments, private lessons, and corporate group rentals. St. Joseph Township officials expressed satisfaction with the expansion within the township, emphasizing the positive impact of the Lancasters’ investment on the local community.
News in Brief: New Pickleball Center in St Joseph
The South Shore Health & Racquet Club in St. Joseph Township is set to open a new pickleball center on Monday. This $2 million expansion includes eight indoor courts, a lounge area, and a bar. The Lancasters, third-generation owners, received a tax break from the township, enabling them to invest in this growing sport.
The facility will offer open-play sessions, tournaments, private lessons, and rentals for corporate groups. The expansion highlights the club’s commitment to adapting to emerging sports trends and enhancing community facilities.
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