Second Largest Indoor Pickleball Facility in the Country Coming to West Chester

The Pickle Lodge, the second-largest indoor pickleball facility in the country, is coming to West Chester Township. The facility, housed in the building previously occupied by Court Yard Sportsplex on Kingsgate Way, will feature a cushioned playing surface, state-of-the-art LED lighting, a bar, restaurant, and a group event space designed for corporate and/or other events.

“The Lodge has been designed to satisfy everybody from the high-level player to the company event planner to those just learning the game,” said Joe Frank, co-owner of The Pickle Lodge.

With 17 indoor courts and eventually five outdoor courts, The Pickle Lodge will  host national-level tournaments while at the same time hosting lessons, Open Play, large events, and reserved courts.

“The programming and scale of The Pickle Lodge are what will make it stand out,” said Mitch Dunn, President and co-founder of the Cincinnati Pickleball Club and a Lodge investor. “Everything we are doing is with the player’s needs front and center.”

Home to The Ohio Pickleball Academy, The Pickle Lodge will help those just beginning to play pickleball learn the nuances of the game, while also helping high-level players deepen their skills.

“Consistent drilling and instruction are surprisingly rare in pickleball,” said Dunn. “We will put instruction at the heart of The Pickle Lodge.”

The first phase is scheduled to open in March 2023, giving Cincinnati a major boost in indoor pickleball court space. Further phases will include grandstand-style seating for Championship Court, a mezzanine overlooking the courts, outdoor courts and bar, and a restaurant.

While The Pickle Lodge will be open to the public, it will also offer memberships designed to give frequent players significant discounts. The facility’s membership tiers are designed to make membership approachable for just about any budget.

“We can’t wait to introduce people to The Pickle Lodge,” said Frank. “We are committed to making it the best place to play pickleball in the entire Midwest.”

Founded in 2022, The Pickle Lodge’s lead investors are the President and Cofounder of the 1,500-member Cincinnati Pickleball Club and the Managing Partner of the Fowling Warehouse in Cincinnati. The company has partnered with Phoenix Architecture on the building design and Kiesland Development Services on general contracting.