A Vision Born from Passion
Rendering of the LevelUp Pickleball Club scheduled to open in January 2025 . The LevelUp Legacy
More Than Just Pickleball
Accessibility and Affordability
A Destination for Pickleball Enthusiasts
Community Excitement
A Passion Project
The Future of LevelUp
CONTENTS
IN Community is a publication dedicated to representing , encouraging and promoting the Mt . Lebanon area and its comprising municipalities by focusing on the talents and gifts of the people who live and work here . Our goal is to provide readers with the most informative and professional regional publication in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania .
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12 on the cover
More than 100 classic cars were on display at this year ’ s Annual Classic Car Show and Street Festival hosted by the Mt . Lebanon Police Department . See story on page 12 . Photo by Ralph LoVuolo . fall 2024
LEVELUP PICKLEBALL CLUB :
8 LevelUp Pickleball Club : A Game-Changer for Pittsburgh Bringing a passion for pickleball to the ’ Burgh .
16 Fall Fun Guide ! “ Leaf ” summer behind and fall into fun . We ’ ve rounded up the most delightful festivals and events for the whole family .
22 Higher Education Trends and Changes As goals , values , and career aspirations shift , students coming out of high school are taking a hard look at their options before stepping into their future .
OPENING JANUARY 2025
IN THE SOUTH HILLS OF PITTSBURGH
32 The Weekender — Short Getaways for a Break from the Ordinary Less than two hours away , Canton , Ohio , is home to the Pro Football Hall of Fame , but this charming city has much more to offer !
departments
2 From the CEO 6 IN the Loop : What ’ s News in Mt . Lebanon 10 IN Good Taste : Christian Frangiadis ,
Executive Chef and Partner , Spork 12 IN Events : Mt . Lebanon Police Department
Hosts 27th Annual Classic Car Show 38 Mt . Lebanon Public Library News 40 IN the Burgh : There ’ s Something for Everyone Along the Three Rivers Heritage Trail and Water Trail
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TThe anticipation is palpable . Throughout the area suburbs , residents are abuzz about the impending arrival of LevelUp Pickleball Club on Mayview Road in Cecil Township . This isn ’ t just another sports facility — it ’ s a 60,000-square-foot testament to the explosive growth of pickleball and the vision of founders Wayne and Lisa Dollard of Peters Township .
The Dollards , avid pickleball players since 2015 , experienced firsthand the sport ’ s meteoric rise and the accompanying challenges . They bounced between overcrowded venues , sharing courts with other sports and longing for a dedicated space for pickleball enthusiasts .
“ Speaking with many other pickleballers , we felt we had a large-enough group to build our own club ,” Wayne explains . The initial plan for a modest four-court facility evolved into a megastructure that will soon become a cornerstone of Pittsburgh ’ s pickleball scene .
Industry Insights |
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Title Insurance : Blue Sky Closing Services , Inc . |
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Health Care : Direct Care Physicians of Pittsburgh |
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Real Estate : Coldwell Banker – Leanne Dresmich |
Business Spotlight 25 Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School
LEVELUP PICKLEBALL CLUB : A GAME-CHANGER FOR PITTSBURGH
Bringing a passion for pickleball to the ’ Burgh .
BY LAURA GAINOR
The LevelUp brand is synonymous with pickleball excellence . The Dollards launched Pickleball Magazine in 2015 , followed by LevelUp Pickleball Camps in 2016 . The camps quickly gained national recognition , with the Dollards and their team of pros teaching more than 25,000 players across the country . Their expertise has even been featured on NBC ’ s Today show , Jimmy Kimmel Live , the Tennis Channel and Pickleball TV .
“ The LevelUp instructional program will be the core of our new LevelUp Pickleball Club ,” Lisa says .
LevelUp Pickleball Club is poised to be a driving force in Pittsburgh ’ s pickleball community . The club will host national and local tournaments , provide top-tier instruction , and foster a vibrant social atmosphere . Beyond pickleball , the club will offer badminton , table tennis , cornhole , darts , a golf simulator , a banquet room , a pizza shop , and a full-service bar . It ’ s a space designed for everyone , from families to corporate groups .
“ The club will be a great place for social interaction physical fitness for children , teens , adults and seniors says . It also plans to host events for individuals with P and Down syndrome and cater to youth groups , fost confidence , physical fitness , and social skills .
One of the Dollards ’ key messages is that LevelUp Club is for everyone . They are committed to making accessible and affordable , with memberships starting $ 19 per month . “ Our membership is affordable for e Wayne says .
With 16 indoor pickleball courts , LevelUp Pickleball Club will be a haven for passionate players . The club ’ s location , adjacent to the Pickleball Magazine office , is strategic . It ’ s a central hub between numerous South Hills school districts and offers easy access for residents and visitors alike .
In 2025 , the club will host tournaments , attracting players from the tri-state area and beyond . This influx of visitors will boost the local economy and showcase Pittsburgh as a premier destination for pickleball .
Local business owners are equally enthusiastic about the club ’ s potential impact . Jarrid and Krissy Danburg , owners of YogaSix studios in the South Hills , share their excitement :
“ As residents of Peters Township , we are always excited to see new businesses investing in our community . What excites me the most is that this business is about building a family-friendly community through fitness and wellness activities . In Pittsburgh we have all four seasons , so we ’ ll have a place we can access for family fun , no matter what the weather may be doing . It ’ s exciting to think that such a premiere facility would select Cecil Township , PA , for its headquarters of this innovative development .”
For Wayne and Lisa Dollard , LevelUp Pickleball Club is more than a business venture ; it ’ s a passion project . Their involvement in the sport has transformed their lives , and they are eager to share that passion with the community .
The Dollards also have ambitious plans for the future . They envision adding outdoor courts in 2025 and expanding the club ’ s offerings to include fitness classes , dancing , and other community
From ( Club o
MT . LEBANON ❘ FALL 2024 1