Plans For 11-Court Pickleball Club Moving Forward In Newtown Township

NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP, PA — Pickleball enthusiasts may soon have a new place to play America’s fastest-growing sport.

This week, the Newtown Township Planning Commission recommended conditional use approval of plans by “The Picklr” to convert the former Bed, Bath & Beyond store into an indoor premier Pickleball Club.

Plans by the Utah-based company call for the redevelopment of the 30,000-square-foot store at 20 West Road into an 11-court indoor playing facility that would be membership-only and offer unlimited play.

The vacant storefront is located at the Newtown Shopping Center, which is anchored by Acme and Staples and is managed by the Palladino Development Group. The center is also home to a Chick-Fil-A, a TD Bank, and the Blue Point Grill.

According to planning commission chairwoman Peggy Driscoll, if the board of supervisors agrees to the conditional use, the new facility could be up and running in 12 weeks.

“It seems like a decent use for the place. They have the parking over there. And it’s a minimal impact,” said Driscoll. “I think a lot of people are going to be happy to see it. The sport is very popular.”

The new facility, the first for "The Picklr" in Pennsylvania, will offer professional-grade outdoor surfacing, a pro shop, a private event area, league play, tournaments and drop-in play, court reservations, locker rooms, and showers.

According to its website, last fall "The Picklr" launched a major expansion across the United States with 80 new locations opening in nearly a dozen states.

Indoor Pickleball courts are popping up all across the country opening inside vacant retail stores and malls as the sport continues to grow in popularity.

Jorge Barragan opened the first indoor Picklr in 2021. Today The Picklr is partners with Pickleball Inc., Super Bowl Champion Drew Brees, and has over 275 locations sold across America with plans to go international.