Jersey Pickleball Club Joins Bell Works: Jersey Pickleball Club will open an indoor pickleball venue in Bell Works by mid-March 2025. The 13,800-square-foot space will feature five all-season courts, locker rooms, and a social area with snacks and beverages. It will operate daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
One of the fastest-growing sports in the country, if not in the world, is pickleball,” said Ralph Zucker, CEO of Inspired by Somerset Development, the owner of Bell Works. “We think that everything that brings people together is a great thing for Bell Works.”
Bell Works: A Perfect Venue for Pickleball
Stephen Rice, co-founder of Jersey Pickleball Club, explained why Bell Works was chosen for the first club location.
“After about 18 months of trying to search for the perfect venue, it was easy for us to conclude that Bell Works was the perfect location for our inaugural operation,” he said.
Bell Works already offers attractions like basketball, virtual golf, and a fitness club. With pickleball joining the lineup, Rice highlighted the appeal of the location.
“It has the perfect combination of office, retail, health and fitness, and food and beverage,” he said.
Riding the Pickleball Craze
Pickleball’s popularity is booming. A 2023 report from the Sports & Fitness Industry Association revealed an 85.7% increase in participation over the previous year. With 8.9 million players in 2022, pickleball is attracting more people every day.
“When you look at the landscape, there are approximately 14,000 pickleball venues throughout the country, and all studies indicate that demand still far exceeds the supply,” said Rice.
The club also offers portable pickleball courts for events like parties and weddings.
New Jersey ranked 21st in pickleball facilities, with 1,100 courts across 247 locations in 2023. Experts predict $900 million in investments will be needed to meet demand nationwide in the coming years.
Growth of Indoor Pickleball in New Jersey
Jersey Pickleball Club is not alone in expanding indoor pickleball. Marlboro will soon host a Pickleball Kingdom facility, while Toms River is adding Supreme Courts and Pickleball HQ locations. One Love Pickleball opened in Ocean Township, and Nicol New Jersey plans to include pickleball courts in a new sports complex in Oceanport.
At Bell Works, the pickleball facility will sit on the lower level, alongside Bell Theater. A new grand staircase will connect the main entrance to the lower level, making it more accessible for visitors.
Zucker envisions even more attractions at Bell Works, saying,
“We’ve been talking for the longest time about some sort of spa. It would be a great fit over here.”
What’s Next for Pickleball?
Bell Works continues to evolve as a hub for work, leisure, and recreation. It already houses major employers, restaurants, shops, and unique experiences like escape rooms and virtual reality games.
Zucker described the development’s mission, saying,
“We succeeded in creating the people’s place. It’s your home. It’s your place. … You can go there just to sit and chill out. You go there to work. You go there to walk around.”
The addition of the Jersey Pickleball Club aligns with Bell Works’ goal of fostering community and activity. With more facilities planned across New Jersey, the sport’s rapid growth shows no signs of slowing.
News in Brief: Jersey Pickleball Club Joins Bell Works
Jersey Pickleball Club will open an indoor facility at Bell Works by March 2025, featuring five courts, locker rooms, and a social area. This reflects pickleball’s growing popularity, with demand for venues surpassing supply nationwide. Bell Works continues to expand as a hub for work, recreation, and community engagement.
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