Tampa Bay in its pickleball club era
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Indoor courts at Pickle & Pint in Largo. Photo: Courtesy of Zachary Weir
First came the outdoor courts, developed with such vigor that St. Petersburg ranked second in the U.S. for pickleball courts per capita.
- Then, over the last year, another trend emerged in Tampa Bay: the pickleball club, offering amenities like air-conditioning and food and drink for sale.
Why it matters: A sport that initially looked like a fad seems like it's here to stay.
State of play: In St. Pete, the massive, soon-to-open St. Pete Athletic will offer 14 pickleball courts plus a full-service restaurant, cocktail bar, and space for table tennis and Mexican racquet sport padel.
- Largo is home to Pickle & Pint and Dink House, two indoor pickleball clubs within a half-mile of each other with their own array of amenities and events.
- In Sarasota, The Pickleball Club at Lakewood Ranch has a cafe and a "wellness & recovery room" with massage chairs, red light therapy and two CryoLounge beds.
The latest: Last week, The Pickle Pad, a national franchise that billed itself in a news release as a "dynamic, next-generation entertainment venue," announced it will open a location in Tampa.
So, what gives?
- First up is the sport itself, Pickle & Pint owner Zachary Weir told Axios.
- "Once you play it, you're not going to want to stop," Weir, 31, said. "It's very addicting, and it's a lot of fun."
Plus: It's accessible to a wide range of ages and abilities. His gym has players as young as 5 and as old as 87.
- Florida's hellish summers also play a part, he said. It's easy to see the appeal of playing indoors, in AC, as opposed to an outdoor court absorbing heat.
- Throw snacks, alcohol and entertainment in the mix, and it becomes a place to meet people and hang out with family and friends.
How it works: Most clubs are open to the public to play for a fee, but also offer memberships with perks. Check the options at your neighborhood club before you go.
💠Kathryn's thought bubble: I'll admit it: I've been a pickleball naysayer since the sport arrived in Tampa Bay. I guess I still have some millennial anti-trend hipster in me.
- But the indoor club atmosphere sounds pretty fun. Should I finally give it a go?
What's next: The World Pickleball Federation is pushing for the sport to be added to the Olympics.
- Whether that happens will say a lot about its staying power in Tampa Bay and beyond.