Ready to get low, dink, smash, flick, poach, slice and enhance footwork during 2025?
Eleven, state-of-the-art indoor pickleball courts were just created at The Picklr in the Newtown Shopping Center, next to retailer Staples. The 20 West Road location was the former Bed, Bath & Beyond store. It is the Picklr's first location in Pennsylvania.
Picklr Newtown co-owners John Williams and Tom Bannar indicate the new location will bring "an unparalleled pickleball experience" to local players. Its 2,800-square-foot mezzanine features a community hangout room, conference room, private bathroom and grab-and-go food or beverage options. At press time, the Picklr was slated to open during January.
"As former Planet Fitness franchisees, we believe The Picklr will change the pickleball industry forever, bringing indoor high-end facilities at an affordable price for all ages and skill levels," John says.
Arnold Poblete, The Picklr Newtown club coordinator, says the location also offers professional-grade outdoor surfacing, pro shop, private event area, league play, tournaments and drop-in play, court reservations, locker rooms and showers.
"My favorite part of pickleball is its social aspect. It's so fun to play, and I love how it can create and foster a tight knit community with everyone that plays," says Arnold.
Tom says Picklr annual founding memberships start at $1,595, and include adhering to a code of conduct that covers fair play, safety, behavioral expectations and sportsmanship. Leagues, open play tournaments, clinics and guest passes are part of that membership.
Fun Facts: Pickle is a warning shouted by a server to alert all players that they are about to serve. Pickled is the equivalent to getting “skunked” in other sports, scoring zero points in a whole game. If losing a pickleball game 11-0, one has been “pickled." An Erne is when a player hits the ball over the non-volley zone, also known as the kitchen, and lands outside the court.
In addition to Pennsylvania, Utah-based company The Picklr also has facilities in Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
The Picklr founder and owner Jorge Barragan since January 2021 states that the company partners with Pickleball Inc. and American former professional football quarterback Drew Brees. He says the business has more than 275 locations across America with plans to go international. "It’s all because of people who believed in our vision. Some of our executives today are people who showed up at the grand opening of our first location. Pickleball is that powerful in connecting people," he adds.