New Ace Pickleball Club in Solon: Ace Pickleball Club is set to officially open its doors to the public on November 13 at the Uptown Solon shopping center, located on Kruse Drive. The new facility is housed in the former Bed Bath & Beyond space, which has been transformed into a premier indoor pickleball venue. Before the grand opening, the club welcomed its first VIP members for a soft opening on November 11 and 12, offering them an exclusive preview of the space.
Excitement Builds as Members Arrive Early
Owner Mark Milakovich shared his excitement during the soft opening.
“We had people waiting at the door, half an hour before we opened, which is exciting. It is exceeding our expectations.” – (Mark Milakovich)
The pickleball club is designed to cater to a wide range of players, from beginners to advanced players, with a focus on fostering a strong sense of community for newcomers to the sport.
A Strategic Location for Growth
The Solon area was specifically chosen due to its favorable demographics.
“The demographics of the east side of Cleveland are some of the best demographics in all of Northeast Ohio. We love it over here.” – (Mark Milakovich)
The location offers a prime environment for the club’s growth, making it an ideal place for pickleball players of all skill levels to come together and enjoy the game.
State-of-the-Art Facility for Year-Round Play
The new pickleball facility boasts 13 rubber-base courts specifically designed for pickleball. It also features a dedicated dinking court, stretching space, lockers, and a changing room for members. Milakovich emphasized that the climate-controlled environment ensures an ideal setting for year-round play.
“Indoor pickleball, particularly in a climate like Northeast Ohio, is really where it’s at. Once you play indoor pickleball with perfect temperature, perfect lighting (and) no wind – I think it’s very hard to like go back to regular courts, except for like special occasions.” – (Mark Milakovich)
Exclusive Amenities and Open Play
The Ace Pickleball Club provides additional amenities, including a mezzanine overlooking the courts, which is available for private and corporate events. The facility also features equipment services such as paddle and ball rentals, a paddle demo program, and a ball machine for practice. Members can simply “bring themselves” to enjoy the game, as the club offers paddles, balls, and practice courts for their convenience.
“We have a ball machine (and) we have a paddle demo program. Basically, all you gotta do is bring yourself. We have paddles, we have balls (and) we have practice courts.” – (Mark Milakovich)
The club promotes “open play,” which is available for 16 hours a day, seven days a week, giving members the flexibility to join games without needing a reservation. This “flexible-play style” allows pickleball players to participate whenever it fits their schedule.
Growing Membership and Future Plans
New members Ron Fisher of Orange and Jeff Newell of Beachwood were impressed by the club’s offerings at the soft opening. Both men have played at other local facilities and were seeking an indoor space for winter play.
“I play at Lifetime, which has three courts and it’s very crowded. So, this is kind of what I’m looking for.” – (Ron Fisher)
Since its soft opening, the Solon location has attracted approximately 500 members, with the first Ace Pickleball Club established in Atlanta in 2023. Milakovich expressed his hope for long-term success.
“We hope that this will be here for years and years and years to come, and becomes part of the community.” – (Mark Milakovich)
News in Brief: New Ace Pickleball Club in Solon
Ace Pickleball Club will officially open its new indoor pickleball facility on November 13 in the Uptown Solon shopping center. The venue offers 13 courts, a climate-controlled environment, and a variety of amenities, including equipment rentals and open play.
With a focus on community building, the facility is designed to cater to players of all levels. Since its soft opening, the club has already attracted about 500 members.
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