Pickleball is addictive ! I know because I am an addict and most of my friends that play are as well. What a great addiction though. The benefits of the game go beyond the physical as there is the mental, emotional and social aspect that become an important and integral part of a person’s lifestyle.
In the bustling environment of New York City, finding the time and the space to play recreational sports can be challenging. Court 16 is a pickleball club that offers indoor locations in downtown Brooklyn, Long Island City, and Manhattan- FiDi, providing members with continual access to the sport. There are lots of benefits surrounding an indoor space in big cities, but the prevailing advantage is that players can engage in pickleball regardless of the season. “New York City’s weather can be very unpredictable,” says Anthony Evrard, Co-Founder & CEO of Court 16. “Having an indoor club allows players to enjoy the game regardless of weather conditions.” Unlike many outdoor clubs that have to close during the winter months, Court 16 is able to offer year-round play.
The Flying Pickle came to life in a partnership with Cushing Terrell, a multidisciplinary design team that focuses on providing systems and spaces that help people live their best lives. At its inception, “we were the core and shell designers for the industrial warehouse that would become the home of The Flying Pickle,” explains Josh Shiverick, Project Manager at Cushing Terrell. The overall design layout and construction process took about a year to complete. Starting the design in January 2023, the team finished it in a compressed schedule of eight weeks.
It’s one thing to get players to become members at a club; but, maintaining member participation is something Pickleball Charlotte have actively strived for. In 2019, Owner Allan Haseley had the idea to open a club and formed partnerships that led to its establishment. Haseley believes that, “keeping the customer retention high comes from treating everyone like family.” The club works hard to ensure that people want to be there. There are multiple customer appreciation events, charity events, and social events held annually to establish connections among the players and staff. Finding the balance between social play and competitive play “to ensure we have options for everyone is key to creating a facility with inclusivity,” says Haseley.
Located just North of Austin, Texas, Pickleland plans on opening its doors in June of 2024. Boasting nine indoor courts, this brand new club has its sights set on creating the best experience possible for its players while retaining fair rates for its members. As we approach this club’s grand opening in the coming weeks, Alejandro Rioja, CEO and founder of Pickleland, gives us an inside scoop of the club’s origins, aims, and philospohy, including their plan to reach near max capacity before the first player even walks in the building.
As the senior population in the United States continues to grow, pickleball clubs have a unique opportunity to tap into this expanding market. With 54.1 million adults aged 65 or older in 2019, comprising 16% of the American population, seniors are the fastest-growing demographic. This demographic shift presents pickleball clubs with new challenges and opportunities. Here are three strategies for pickleball clubs to capitalize on the burgeoning senior market:
