Selecting a pickleball club location

There is no question about the insane growth of pickleball. Let’s not make this more complicated than it needs to be.  There are just a few basic options for launching a pickleball center in your community.

1) Buy or lease property and build a facility from scratch.
Plus:  Get exactly what you want
Minus:  Expensive and slow to market

Building from scratch makes the most sense if you own, or can lease a super ideal spot. This approach is also good if you want unique amenities like a bar, restaurant, or retail.

2) Buy or lease a non-fitness building, and convert to pickleball (think warehouses or abandoned mall space)
Plus:  Quicker to market, and less expensive than building from scratch
Minus: Finding location at reasonable price

This is where a lot of the action is right now. In some areas landlords are seeking innovative new uses of their space.

3) Buy, lease or convert an existing  fitness or tennis facility to pickleball
Plus: Quickest to market, less expensive
Minus:  Hard to find, or already converted

If you can find an existing tennis facility that is looking to re-imagine themselves, this could be a dream partnership. Court surface is a big piece of the initial build out and this cost would be minimized.

Other considerations:

1. Local zoning and regulations: Depending on the location, there may be zoning laws or regulations that restrict the use of certain types of buildings 
2. Community demographics: Consider the demographic makeup of the local community, as this can affect the demand.
3. Competition: Research the existing pickleball facilities in the area.
4. Amenities and equipment: In addition to a bar, restaurant, or retail, consider other amenities that could make the facility more attractive to customers, such as locker rooms, showers, and rental equipment.

Pickleball Business Advisors is brothers Bill and John Pryor.  We provide a variety of consulting services based on extensive experience in fitness business development, and research into the fast growing pickleball marketplace.  To initiate a feasibility assessment for your pickleball club, or for other consulting, contact us so we can learn about your project.