Batavia’s New Indoor Pickleball Facility: Batavia residents will soon have access to a new recreational destination this winter. Pickled!, a Wheaton-based chain of indoor pickleball facilities, is transforming a vacant unit at the Wind Point Shopping Center into its largest location yet. The new facility will be located at 301 N. Randall Road, between Kohl’s and Office Max, and is scheduled to open by mid-December.
Pickled! Expands its Reach
Pickled!, the brainchild of co-owner Nathan Taylor, has already established successful locations in Wheaton, Woodridge, and Channahon. With the addition of Batavia, the company is expanding its reach, aiming to bring pickleball to a broader audience. In November, Batavia’s city council granted the facility a conditional use permit to convert the former buybuy BABY storefront into the fourth Pickled! location.
The facility will occupy a 34,500-square-foot space and will feature 12 pickleball courts, four sports simulators, and six ping pong tables. Taylor plans to open in phases: the first will focus on preparing the space for pickleball, and the second will introduce additional amenities like golf simulators, ping pong tables, and a bar area offering beer and wine.
A Focus on Accessibility and Fun
Taylor’s commitment to growing the sport is evident in his approach to business. Pickled! is designed to be affordable and accessible, making it a welcoming environment for players of all ages and skill levels.
With rates that cater to members and non-members, the facility is designed to attract new and seasoned players. Open play sessions will be available at competitive rates, with $5 sessions for members and $10 for non-members.
The business model is one rooted in community. Taylor says that the motto for Pickled! is “For players, by players,” and the company prides itself on hiring only pickleball players. This ensures that the staff understands the variations of the game and can provide excellent service to players.
Pickleball’s Growing Popularity and Taylor’s Vision
Pickleball’s rise in popularity in the U.S. is well-documented, and Taylor sees this surge continuing well into the future. He hopes that the sport will soon become a high school offering and that the Olympic committee will approve it for the 2032 Olympic Games.
Despite his business’s rapid growth, Taylor emphasizes that his goal is not to become a millionaire. Rather, he wants to spread the sport to as many people as possible.
“I got into this not to become a millionaire. The goal was to spread pickleball far and wide, and we made no small plans.” – (Taylor)
He believes pickleball is especially beneficial for older adults, citing how it helps players in their 70s and 80s regain mobility and improve their health. For Taylor, the joy of seeing players stay active well into their later years is one of the greatest rewards of his work.
“I want them to be able to play well into their 90s. I think it’s a fabulous sport for being healthy for a long period of time, and it brings me great joy to see people play, be healthy, and recover some mobility and physical function that they lost in their 50s and 60s.” – (Taylor)
News in Brief: Batavia’s New Indoor Pickleball Facility
A new indoor pickleball facility, Pickled!, is set to open in Batavia this December. Located at 301 N. Randall Road, the facility will feature 12 pickleball courts, four sports simulators, and six ping pong tables.
It will be the largest of four Pickled! locations in Illinois, offering affordable access to pickleball year-round. Pickled! also emphasizes community and accessibility, with a focus on serving players of all ages and skill levels.
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