WOODBURY, MN (WNN) – The Woodbury Planning Commission last night approved a building permit for an eight-court indoor pickleball facility. The courts will be installed in a building at 390 Commerce Drive near Sam’s Club.
S&F Corporation plans to lease the building’s entire 65,419 square footage. The firm uses about two-thirds of the space now for an office and warehouse for its e-commerce business. The indoor pickleball facility will occupy the remaining 22,000 square feet. The building was constructed in 1998.
The site has 171 parking stalls. “It is anticipated the peak times for pickleball will be opposite from the business park uses and the shared parking field will be available for evening events,” a city document states.
An S&F representative told the commission that pickleball will be offered from 6 a.m. to midnight via daily passes and memberships.
The commission approved the permit after adding more lighting for the parking lot as a condition of approval. “I actually think this is a really good use of this building,” John Jarrett, commissioner, said.
Adrina Nglaling, a student member of the commission, agreed. “I really like the idea,” she said, adding when she goes to the Woodbury YMCA after school the pickleball courts are usually packed. “I’ve seen the growing popularity of pickleball.”
The city council is expected to consider the permit at its July 16 meeting.
Pickleball Boom
Less than a year ago, there were few full-time, dedicated indoor pickleball facilities in this area that offered court time without memberships. Lifetime Fitness has three courts, for which membership is required. Legacy offers 12 courts, but they rely on portable nets on gym floors that are also used for basketball and other sports. The YMCA offers pickleball at certain hours on certain days of the week. Oakdale has eight multi-use courts at SmashHub and four dedicated courts at The Burrows.
Then, Pickle in the Middle opened with 10 courts on June 1 of last year. Technically in Lake Elmo, at 11160 Hudson Blvd N, on the north side of I-94, owner Linda Deconinck says they are members of the Woodbury Chamber of Commerce and consider their main service area to be Woodbury, along with Hudson, Stillwater, St. Paul and other area cities.
On Oct. 1, 2024, All World Pickleball opened with 15 courts at 1650 Hudson Road, Suite #200. Owner Erik Edin said people would come by while the place was still under construction and ask if they could play, demonstrating the demand for indoor pickleball.
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