Pickleball club to open in Atlanta's West End
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A pickleball club franchise will open its first Atlanta location in West End, bringing the first set of courts dedicated to the game to the southwest side of the city.
Why it matters: Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in America, according to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association's 2024 Topline Participation Report.
Driving the news: Dill Dinkers will open a 36,000-square-foot club at 1200 White Street in early 2025, according to a news release from real estate company Ackerman & Co.
- The company has clubs in several other states. This will be its first in metro Atlanta.
What they're saying: Daniel Hardeman, a co-owner of the Atlanta franchise, said in the news release that the company is excited to open in a neighborhood "with a strong sense of community."
- "We pride ourselves in being part of the community, bringing people together and providing a comfortable place for people to play," he said.
Zoom in: The club will be housed in a 211,585-square-foot building that's being renovated as a mixed-use project containing retail, restaurant, industrial and office space, Ackerman said.
- According to Dill Dinkers' website, the club will have 11 outdoor-style fenced courts, a pro shop and event space.
Context: This part of Atlanta's West End is drawing more attention due to the popularity of the nearby Lee + White mixed-use development that features breweries, standalone restaurants, a bouldering gym and a new food hall.
- A segment of Atlanta Beltline's Westside Trail also runs behind Lee + White, connecting bicyclists, walkers and runners from other parts of the city to the neighborhood.
The big picture: Metro Atlanta is home to 63 pickleball courts, according to Pickleheads.com, the official court and game finder for USA Pickleball.
- Earlier this year, Painted Hospitality — the team behind Painted Pin and Painted Duck bowling alleys — opened the Painted Pickle in Armour Yards.
Go deeper: Popular racquet sport padel is popping up in metro Atlanta.