Do you love pickleball? Here are 5 new places to play in Louisville
Pickleball has been on the rise and was dubbed the fastest-growing sport in America.
The hype behind pickleball has spread into Kentucky with more than 370 pickleball courts blanketing the state, according to USA Pickleball, the national governing body for the sport in the U.S.
Louisville is no stranger to the love of the paddle sport played on a badminton-sized court, seeing a slew of new facilities pop up over the last few years.
And there is no sign of slowing, with several pickleball facilities having already opened this year and a handful of others anticipated to open later in 2024.
“There is no better sporting activity that is more social yet still a balance of fun and competitiveness,” said Tate Hubbuch, co-owner of Thoroughbred Pickleball Courts. “The boom of pickleball nationally is not stopping anytime soon and the need for more indoor facilities couldn’t be higher.”
Here’s a look at five new pickleball places that recently opened or are planning to open in Louisville.
Ace Pickleball Club
9565 Taylorsville Road, daily 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., acepickleballclub.com/jeffersontown-ky/
This membership-only pickleball club will fill the old Louisville Athletic Club facility in Jeffersontown. Ace Pickleball anticipates opening by fall 2024 and will boast five training and drill courts and 11 full-size courts, Diego Pacheco, chief growth officer for Ace Pickleball Club, told the Courier Journal.
Ace Pickleball Club is a national chain and this location will be its first in Kentucky. Unlike entertainment and pickleball venues, Ace Pickleball Club is a fitness club style, featuring a membership model and grab-and-go healthy food options, Pacheco said.
"We're excited to get in the market and we love the Jeffersontown and Middletown area," said Pacheco.
Goodbounce Pickleball Yard
1220 Main St., Clarksville, Ind., and 1515 River Shore Drive, daily 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. and bar service daily 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., goodbounce.com
The Southern Indiana location opened in December 2023 following the success of the Louisville opening. Goodbounce is a great pickleball court facility for experienced veterans or those just looking to enter the sport, providing lessons and rental gear if needed. The facility also boasts a game yard, food, outdoor space, restrooms with showers, pools, a marina, and pergolas.
"We pride ourselves in being a fun, outdoor, and active experience that is inclusive to everyone," said John Flodder, CEO Goodbounce.
Iroquois Park sports complex courts
1000 Amphitheater Road, hours TBA
An updated sports complex at Iroquois Park was announced in the fall of 2023, and with it will come the addition of four new pickleball courts to the park. The project is expected to be completed by Spring 2024, according to a news release.
“We knew from the beginning we wanted to put the future of the tennis courts at Iroquois Park in the community’s hands and are so excited for this project to begin," said Interim Executive Director for Louisville Parks and Recreation Ozzy Gibson. "By upgrading the tennis courts, along with adding on pickleball courts and a futsal court, we hope to expand the recreational opportunities for all people who visit the park."
Three other Louisville parks will open new pickleball courts this year, George Rogers Clark Park will add two courts and Hays Kennedy Park and Fern Creek Park will both add six courts.
Thoroughbred Pickleball Courts
2040 Metal Lane, open daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., thoroughbredpickleball.com
This small indoor facility opened in February and features three courts that can be reserved by players. The facility is climate-controlled with heating in the winter and fans blasting in the summer. Other amenities include restrooms and a spectator viewing area. Horse-themed decor brings the place to life, blending two of Hubbuch's passions, pickleball and horse racing.
"I have been an avid horse racing fan my whole life and it just made sense to tie that in," Hubbuch said. "It certainly made it unique."
Unnamed Pickleball concept
8100 Lyndon Park Lane, hours TBA
This 14-court venue facility is an estimated 25,000 square feet and is expected to house Fairway Field House, a venue for golf simulators. The facility, which was previously announced as Pickle and Social, was originally expected to include yard games, a micro-distillery, a full-service restaurant, and a live music stage and was expected to open by the fall, the Courier Journal previously reported.
According to a company spokesperson, the project concept has undergone some changes but will still include pickleball courts. The company declined to provide further details.
Contact business reporter Olivia Evans at oevans@courier-journal.com or on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter at @oliviamevans_.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: 5 new Pickleball court facilities open in Louisville
