New Pickleball Club Set to Transform Armonk: Armonk is about to welcome a new pickleball haven at 100 Business Park Drive, expanding the storage/warehouse site into a premier pickleball destination. SPORTIME will operate the 26,550-square-foot facility, which will feature 11 indoor courts, locker rooms, and event space.
Set to open next fall, the facility will cater to all skill levels, offering lessons, games, and tournaments. Individual memberships are expected to be priced around $20 per month, with non-members able to rent courts and join programs at differing rates.
SPORTIME’s Vision
Claude Okin, SPORTIME’s president and CEO, highlighted the club’s alignment with the company’s broader goal to establish 200 pickleball courts by 2030. Currently, many players are utilizing tennis courts adapted for pickleball, which involves lowering the net height. Dedicated pickleball courts, however, are in high demand as players seek specialized spaces once they advance in skill and competitiveness.
“The way that pickleball becomes the fastest growing sport in the country is that people are playing all over the place, in gyms, school yards and on blacktop. But we found that once players became skilled and competitive, they want dedicated space.” – (Okin)
Pickleball Growth and Popularity
Pickleball’s rapid growth is reflected in recent statistics. As of 2023, there are approximately 13.6 million players in the U.S., marking a 223.5% increase since 2020. States like Florida, California, and Texas lead in the number of courts, while New York follows closely. Okin believes the sport’s appeal lies in its accessibility, low cost, and social aspects, predicting it could eventually become a college or Olympic sport.
“I think it’s going to outlive us all. It’s egalitarian. It allows people to mix more than tennis and golf in terms of ages and genders.” – (Okin)
Community Impact
Ross Meyer, a ninth-grader from Byram Hills High School, expressed excitement about the new facility. Meyer, who took up pickleball in 2021 after discovering it in Florida, eagerly anticipates the opportunity to play year-round and connect with others. His enthusiasm reflects the broader community’s anticipation for this new addition to Armonk.
“I saw people playing and I said to my dad ‘What is this?’ He was like ‘I have no idea’. I can’t wait to go there and play. It’s a great social game and a fun way to make new friends.” – (Meyer)
Development Details
The pickleball facility is part of a $39.6 million development project at 100 Business Park Drive. This mixed-use development includes an 8,000-square-foot expansion of an existing warehouse and a new 82,400-square-foot self-storage facility. Basis Industrial, which acquired the property in 2023, is responding to high demand for recreational and self-storage spaces in the area.
News in Brief: Pickleball Club Set to Transform Armonk
Armonk is set to receive a new pickleball club at 100 Business Park Drive, managed by SPORTIME. The 26,550-square-foot facility will offer 11 indoor courts, locker rooms, and event space, opening next fall. Memberships will cost around $20 per month, with non-member options available.
This new addition aligns with SPORTIME’s goal of creating 200 pickleball courts by 2030. The $39.6 million project also includes a warehouse expansion and a self-storage facility. Pickleball’s popularity is growing rapidly, with over 13.6 million players in the U.S. as of 2023.
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