It's a Big Dill

You may have heard your friends talking about playing … or maybe you heard the pop, pop of the plastic ball. Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the country, according to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association, and the Suncoast is no exception. But it is hot here. Really hot. And it rains pretty much any time right now. Plus, pickleball’s recent popularity often makes public courts crowded.

All of this drew founder and CEO Brian McCarthy to create The Pickleball Club in Lakewood Ranch off Fruitville Road.

“This is not just a place where you can play pickleball indoors,” McCarthy says. “This is designed to offer a premium pickleball experience.”

The club strives to eliminate all the outdoor irritations. Fences separate the 12 indoor courts, so you don’t chase stray balls. The court surfaces are multi-layered and gentler on joints than outdoor hard concrete. You don’t have sun in your eyes, and the LED lighting creates no shadows. Courts are reserved, and players can be matched by ability.

But don’t let the stunning high-tech facility scare you away. Pick-leball is a sport for all ages and all abilities.

“For beginners, pickleball is really easy to pick up,” assures McCarthy. “You can get out there after an hour and have a lot of fun.”

And for the more advanced player or someone looking to up their game, the club has a deep coaching staff, run by Director of Programming and Instruction Dominque Lemperle.

“Pickleball erases your age,” exclaims Lemperle. “That’s what amazing about the sport.”

Lemperle is a former Division 1 college tennis player who picked up pickleball in 2017. She was recently drafted to the all-Florida Pro League team and plays competitively all over the state. Even non-members can get instruction and join clinics at the club.

“We have kids, casual players, advanced players; they all have a good time,” she says.

After an active game or two, players gather at Pickles Café. It was carefully crafted to be the centerpiece of the 12 courts.

“You won’t find anything fried, overly heavy, greasy, stinky, or smelly,” laughs Director of Food and Beverage Jennifer Smith. “There is no hood system, no fryer, no flattop, and no grill. We specialize in salads, smoothies, bowls, wraps—things that are vibrant, full of color, healthy and light.”

The Cranberry Walnut Salad is the most popular menu item, followed by flatbreads and sharable charcuterie. Drink options include specialty coffees, beer, and wine.

“People are coming to sweat and do well for their bodies,” says Smith. “They are movin’ and shakin’, and we want to give them fuel to sustain their game or make them better.”

“People move [to Florida] and leave family and friends,” says McCarthy. “They want to make new acquaintances with similar interests. This is an intergenerational sport. Parents can play with kids. Grandparents can play with grandkids. Isn’t that an amazing thing?”

And now there is an amazing place to do it at The Pickleball Club. Lakewood Ranch boasts the first location, and another just opened in Port St. Lucie. Others are planned in The Villages, Bonita Springs, Venice, Pinellas Park, Palm Beach, and Orlando.

Beat the heat and stop by for a tour and a healthy snack. This summer, both Pickles Café and Dinks Pro Shop are open to the public.

The Pickleball Club at Lakewood Ranch: 1300 Sarasota Center Blvd, Sarasota; thepickleballclub.com