In The Kitchen
Examining the Benefits of Indoor Clubs in Big Cities: Court 16 in New York City
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 Dream Team: The Flying Pickle Partners with Cushing Terrell to Convert Warehouse Space into Successful Pickleball Club
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.
Keeping Members Engaged at Pickleball Charlotte
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.
Q&A with Pickleland’s Alejandro Rioja
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.
Pavilion of Pickleball Membership Soars as a Result of These Strategies
A thriving pickleball club in Knoxville, TN has utilized unique tactics to transform curious strangers into loyal members. Established in 2020, the Pavilion of Pickleball has exploded in membership numbers and interest since its founding and now possesses over 1,000 active club members. Uniting the surrounding community and creating personal engagement in sports clubs are crucial steps to success, and are beneficial to the club and its members alike.
How Strategic Marketing Promoted Success at Austin Pickle Ranch
Having just recently opened in October 2023, Austin Pickle Ranch has been on a mission to “create a destination for pickleball enthusiasts while embracing the spirit of [Austin, Texas],” says Taylor Haley: the VP of Marketing. The club has been fortunate in that the local pickleball community has embraced the new business by spreading the word both on and off the court. Additionally, the customer base has been further expanded using strategic digital marketing. Instagram serves as their main platform for member acquisition, and Haley says, “Our investment in high-quality photography and videography, influential partnerships, and memorable branding has been influential in amplifying our brand presence and engagement.”