The Pickleball Factory in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, continues to thrive since opening in December of 2024. As the club evolves, it keeps an eye on growth and creating a welcoming environment for all players through inclusive programming, new formats, and community partnerships.
Key Takeaways
- The Pickleball Factory opened in December 2024 in a former warehouse and soup manufacturing facility in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and now runs 14 indoor courts plus a kitchen with courtside delivery.
- A professional-grade cushioned court system earns rave reviews from members, and the building was designed to keep noise lower than average even with seven or eight courts in use.
- With 140 members, many of them higher-level players, the club saw an opportunity to grow newer players and make every skill level feel welcome.
- A new King/Queen of the Court-style league seeds players from lower DUPR ratings up to 5.0s, with advanced players asked to help newer ones. Players stayed after seven rounds to keep playing.
- Proximity to colleges drives growth: the club sponsors Southeast Missouri State University’s (SEMO) new pickleball club, hosted two NCPA tournaments with four area colleges, and offers free Friday open play plus $20/month student memberships.
- The facility hosts an eight-week program for 15 to 20 athletes with Down syndrome and their partners, and a Special Olympics tournament event filled every court.
From Soup Factory to 14 Indoor Courts
The former warehouse and soup manufacturing facility now holds 14 indoor courts and a kitchen with delivery service courtside. The courts are made with a professional-grade specialized cushioned system engineered to receive rave reviews from members who say it saves their feet from feeling sore. The facility was also designed to keep noise levels lower than average even with seven or eight courts in use.
Surface and sound are two of the decisions operators cannot easily undo after opening. For operators planning a warehouse conversion of their own, the fundamentals in how to open a successful pickleball facility are a useful starting point.
The Pickleball Factory at a Glance
| Metric | The Pickleball Factory |
|---|---|
| Location | Cape Girardeau, Missouri |
| Opened | December 2024 |
| Building | Former warehouse and soup manufacturing facility |
| Indoor courts | 14 |
| Members | 140 |
| Members per court | 10 |
| Court surface | Professional-grade cushioned system |
| Food and beverage | Kitchen with courtside delivery |
| Student membership | $20/month |
| College open play | Free on Fridays, 5:00 to 7:00 PM, with college ID |
Chart: The Pickleball Factory Has Room to Grow Into Its 14 Courts. At 10 members per court, well below the roughly 100 players per court often cited as an industry norm, the club’s push to welcome newer players is a direct path to filling its capacity. Source: The Pickleball Factory / Pickleball Club Magazine.
Spotting the Gap: A Membership Skewed Toward Advanced Players
After taking a look within their 140 members, the club realized there was an opportunity to grow newer players, as many of the members were higher level. While it is easy to cater to highly skilled and dedicated players, creating an environment where every skill level felt welcome is the goal.
A membership base weighted toward advanced players is common in a club’s first year, and it can quietly limit growth if beginners feel they have no place on the courts. Clubs that have solved this often start with structured on-ramps, as covered in how to grow your club by leveraging beginner clinics and how RT. 12 Pickle brings in new players with engaging clinics.
A King/Queen of the Court League That Mixes Every Level
To bring more players together, Pickleball Director Caleb Proctor recently started a Kind/Queen of the Court-style league. DUPR ratings from lower to 5.0s were asked to seed themselves on the courts, with the top courts being higher level and working their way down.
Before play started, Caleb reiterated the evening was all about fun and asked more skilled players to help newer players, and it resonated with all.
“It was so great to see all levels and all ages playing together and having a great time,” says Caleb. “We played seven rounds, and even when we finished officially, people stayed and played even longer. I anticipate this will keep growing, which is exciting.”
How the format works:
- Players self-seed by DUPR rating, from lower ratings up to the 5.0s
- Top courts hold the highest-level play, with levels working their way down court by court
- The director sets the tone before play: the night is about fun, and stronger players help newer ones
- Seven rounds, with players staying after the official finish to keep playing
Turning Advanced Players Into Mentors
Caleb says he is expressly reaching out to higher-level players to play with lower levels, with positive responses. He hopes by bridging these gaps, newer players will continue to join and feel welcome while more advanced players see the benefit of meeting new people and possibly becoming mentors.
Mixed-level play built around community rather than ratings is a theme across successful clubs. Pickles in Hanover, Massachusetts leans on ladder leagues and member-led initiatives, and Cedar Falls Pickleball Club uses volunteer coaches so beginners never feel lost.
College Partnerships Fuel Membership and Community
Taking advantage of their proximity to colleges has helped The Pickleball Factory grow its membership as well as its community involvement. In particular, Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO) which recently started a pickleball club that practices at the Factory.
“A lot of college students play here. When one approached SEMO about starting a club, we were happy to be a sponsor,” Caleb says.
The Pickleball Factory hosted two NCPA tournaments last year that included four colleges from around the area. Caleb predicts in three to four years pickleball could very possibly be a varsity sport on many college campuses.
“We plan to host more tournaments and enjoy having college students here,” he says. “To that end we offer free open play on Fridays from 5:00-7:00 PM to students with a college ID and $20/month student memberships.”
Caleb adds he hopes to work with local high schools as well.
The Pickleball Factory’s Student Pipeline
| Program | What it offers | Who it reaches |
|---|---|---|
| SEMO pickleball club sponsorship | Club practices at the Factory | Southeast Missouri State University students |
| NCPA tournaments | Two tournaments hosted last year | Four area colleges |
| Friday college open play | Free, 5:00 to 7:00 PM, with college ID | Any college student |
| Student membership | $20/month | College students |
| High school outreach | Planned | Local high schools |
Chart: How The Pickleball Factory Builds a Student Player Pipeline. A club sponsorship, collegiate tournaments, free open play, and a low-cost membership give students several ways in. Source: The Pickleball Factory / Pickleball Club Magazine.
Youth and student pipelines take time to pay off but cost little to start. For more on how clubs are building the next generation of players, see how Pickleball Lincoln is engaging the next generation and how SPORTIME’s interclub league model drives revenue and youth growth.
Adaptive Programming for Athletes With Down Syndrome
The facility is also proud to host a national organization that pairs athletes with Down syndrome. One night a week for eight weeks 15-20 athletes and their partners work on their pickleball games. Three Pickleball Factory coaches on three courts focus on specific shots or aspects of the game with great success. Caleb says its great to watch the athletes play and grow.
“We hosted a Special Olympics tournament event, and every court was filled,” says Caleb. “It was super fun to see some players from our facility out there and doing great.”
The adaptive program by the numbers:
- 8 weeks, one night per week
- 15 to 20 athletes with Down syndrome, plus their partners
- 3 coaches working 3 courts, each focused on specific shots or aspects of the game
Adaptive and community programming is one of the clearest ways a club earns its reputation as a place for everyone. The Pickleball Club at Monroe’s inclusive approach to the game and our guide on how to host a successful charity tournament that builds community offer more ideas operators can adapt.
Why Inclusion Is The Pickleball Factory’s Growth Strategy
For The Pickleball Factory, pickleball is all about making friendships and knowing someone can show up any night and feel welcome all the time. And that feeling occurs within an inclusive community. By intentionally building opportunities for all levels to play and interact, that’s exactly what is happening at The Pickleball Factory.
What Operators Can Take From The Pickleball Factory Playbook
For club owners and operators working to broaden their player base, five moves from The Pickleball Factory translate directly:
- Audit your membership by skill level. If most members are advanced, newer players are your growth market.
- Use mixed-level formats with a clear tone. A King/Queen of the Court league with self-seeding and a “fun first” message brings every level onto the same night.
- Recruit advanced players as mentors. Ask them directly. The Pickleball Factory’s outreach got positive responses.
- Partner with nearby colleges. Club sponsorships, collegiate tournaments, free open play, and a $20/month student rate create a pipeline of new players.
- Host adaptive programming. Dedicated coaches, courts, and a recurring schedule make the facility a community hub, not just a place to play.
Filling courts with new players is ultimately a revenue decision too. See how the economics work in turning player time into revenue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is The Pickleball Factory located?
The Pickleball Factory is in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. It is housed in a former warehouse and soup manufacturing facility and opened in December 2024.
How many courts does The Pickleball Factory have?
The Pickleball Factory has 14 indoor courts with a professional-grade cushioned court system. The facility also has a kitchen with courtside delivery and was designed to keep noise levels lower than average even with seven or eight courts in use.
How many members does The Pickleball Factory have?
The Pickleball Factory has 140 members. Many are higher-level players, which led the club to focus on growing newer players and making every skill level feel welcome.
What is a King/Queen of the Court pickleball league?
At The Pickleball Factory, the King/Queen of the Court-style league has players seed themselves on the courts by DUPR rating, from lower ratings up to 5.0s. The top courts hold the highest-level play, with levels working their way down. Pickleball Director Caleb Proctor asks more skilled players to help newer players, and the first night ran seven rounds with players staying afterward to keep playing.
Does The Pickleball Factory offer student memberships?
Yes. The Pickleball Factory offers $20/month student memberships and free open play on Fridays from 5:00 to 7:00 PM for students with a college ID. The club also sponsors the Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO) pickleball club, which practices at the facility.
Does The Pickleball Factory host college pickleball tournaments?
Yes. The Pickleball Factory hosted two NCPA tournaments last year that included four colleges from around the area, and the club plans to host more.
Does The Pickleball Factory offer programs for athletes with disabilities?
Yes. The facility hosts a national organization that pairs athletes with Down syndrome. One night a week for eight weeks, 15 to 20 athletes and their partners work on their games with three Pickleball Factory coaches on three courts. The facility has also hosted a Special Olympics tournament event that filled every court.
Who is the Pickleball Director at The Pickleball Factory?
Caleb Proctor is the Pickleball Director at The Pickleball Factory.
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