Did somebody say pickleball?

Rich Palzewic

Staff

October 7, 2024

ASHWAUBENON – A new indoor facility in Ashwaubenon will help make playing pickleball – the fastest-growing sport in America – a little easier this winter.

The nation’s fastest-growing network of indoor pickleball courts, The Picklr (based in Kaysville, Utah), is opening the facility in the Shoppes at the Village at 2610 Holmgren Way in Ashwaubenon.

The Wisconsin area Picklrs are part of a national expansion for the franchise, which includes the addition of more than 350 new locations with roughly 3,500 courts being built over the next few years.

What is pickleball?

Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong. 

It’s played with a perforated plastic ball and a paddle on a badminton-size court with a tennis-type net. 

CJ Murray – director of investor relations for Murko Capital Corporation, the development group bringing The Picklr indoor pickleball concept to Wisconsin – said the game can be played in singles or doubles and is suitable for all ages and skill levels.

“There are more than 35 million pickleball players in the United States, which is far more than tennis and other sports,” he said. “It’s a sport for ages 8 to 88. The growth is incredible, so the demand for indoor courts is growing.”

Murry said his group has been looking for sites in the state for more than a year.

“We’re excited to bring Picklr to Ashwaubenon,” he said. “Pickleball is an addicting sport – you either love it or you haven’t played it yet. Pickleball is not a fad – it will be around for a long time.”

Murray said the consensus of those involved in the sport is that pickleball will be an Olympic sport within the next eight to 12 years.

“There’s already high school club teams, and we think college will be shortly behind that,” he said.

Amy Guerrero, marketing director with Murko Capital, said pickleball participation increased during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It accelerated the game for sure,” she said. “It’s an outdoor activity people can do. Those outdoor courts are great, but you can only play outdoors if the weather cooperates. That’s why the facility in Ashwaubenon is needed and will be great. Even in the warmer months, if it rains, puddles can form and make play difficult. The wind can also be a major factor. It’s nice to have a consistent playing surface.”

The Picklr Wisconsin’s franchise group includes Mark Tauscher, a Wisconsin native, avid pickleball player, Green Bay Packers Hall of Famer and current sports radio personality.

“I’ve been playing pickleball for about 10 years,” Tauscher said. “The growth happening nationwide in the sport has me excited about the potential here in Wisconsin. Each location takes indoor pickleball to the next level with state-of-the-art clubs, all-inclusive, one-price memberships and unmatched programming for all ages.”

The facility

Murray said the more than 20,000-square-foot space will feature seven indoor courts with high-quality outdoor-style surfacing, a full pro shop, private event space, unlimited league play, tournaments and open play. 

Demolition and remodeling of the building, he said, will begin soon, with an anticipated opening happening this winter.

“We will have sound-baffling systems – pickleball sounds can be an issue…,” he said. “There will be consistent lighting and space around that 20 (feet) by 40 (feet) court. The space we’ll move into used to be a pool and spa business.”

Guerrero said the facility will be housed in an existing shopping center.

“We’re in the corner of the shopping center,” she said. “Currently, there is a Golden Corral in the same building and a Burn Boot Camp.” 

Murray said the model of most Picklr facilities is “second-generation, big-box stores.”

“They are mostly in retail areas and anywhere between 20,000 and 40,000 square feet,” he said. “We normally think about 3,000 square feet per court. The total square footage of the building includes a pro shop, bathrooms, locker rooms, community room, office area and a mezzanine area above to watch.”

Murray said in the search for locations around the state, they’ve probably looked at 40-50 spots.

“There’s limited inventory,” he said. “Indoor pickleball facilities have to have minimum ceiling heights because players coming from the outside game, we want to make sure ceiling height isn’t a hindrance to their playing. Our goal is at least 18 feet, which we have in this space.”

Murray said a search has already begun to find a club coordinator.

“We anticipate about 20 employees – mostly part-time help,” he said. “Many times, it’s retirees who want a membership with their employment. They are good ambassadors of the game and help spread the positive word. Our typical hours are about 6 a.m. to midnight. We’ve already had some employment inquiries.”

Why Ashwaubenon? 

Murray said considering all things – the weather, a pickleball-hungry area, etc. – he thinks Ashwaubenon is the perfect area.

“Not to mention, with Mark Tauscher being one of our brand ambassadors, that also helps,” he said. “Mark is a well-known racket sports enthusiast, and we’re excited to partner with him.”

Additional locations in Milwaukee, Madison and elsewhere across Wisconsin and the U.S., Murray said, are in the works.

Memberships

The Picklr provides programs for beginners to pros, Murray said.

Membership to The Picklr includes access to all club locations nationwide, free court reservations, four clinics per month and unlimited participation in leagues, competitive play/events and tournaments.

Murray said pricing hasn’t been finalized yet, but more details will be released soon.

“There will also be some grab-and-go food/drink items available,” he said. “Pickleball is a social sport, so you can sit in the lounge area and have some food and drink and brag about all of your good shots.”

Players can learn more about the Green Bay location at thepicklr.com/location/green-bay.

“The enthusiasm around pickleball is not slowing down and I can’t wait to continue to see it grow,” Tauscher said.