REGIONAL
matters
PACIFIC NORTHWEST UNVEILS NEW INDOOR FACILITY
P
ickleball players in Bend, Oregon, are fortunate
to have 16 world-class outdoor courts at Pine
Nursery. However, until now, the players had very
limited opportunities to play indoors. Pickleball
Zone Bend is taking the sport of pickleball to the next
level. Most indoor buildings are multiple sport facilities
with confusing lines, shiny floors and poor lighting with
glare. The economics of building stand-alone indoor
pickleball courts are challenging at best. So Werner
Zehnder partnered with Butch Roberts, who had plans to
build an Adventure Park.
The footprint of the facility was dictated by eight
pickleball courts. On the ground floor is a large Adventure
Park complete with trampolines, Ninja course, climbing
wall and a Laser Maze. Party rooms and offices are
located on the second floor.
In the middle of the third floor, which features the
pickleball courts, is a reception/tournament desk,
pickleball pro shop, day-use lockers, and changing rooms
with showers. On either side of the central area are four
pickleball courts separated by dividing net curtains.
Recycled tires were used to build these state-of-the-art
cushion courts. The courts are gentle on your joints,
yet the Dura 40 balls bounce just like on any outdoor
court. Banner advertising from sponsors cover the large
windows to eliminate glare and 64 eight-feet-long LED
lights provide perfect lighting.
The fourth floor’s HEAD Players Lounge is a favorite
hangout to enjoy a beer or wine after playing and also
offers great viewing for the pickleball games below. You
can also relax around the two fireplaces, watching the sun
set over the Cascade Mountains.
The business model of Pickleball Zone is a hybrid: 60%
of the courts are set aside for annual members while the
remaining 40% are for the Oregon Pickleball Academy.
Academy Director and Head Professional Lisa Palcic and
National Champion Michelle Esquivel offer daily lessons
and clinics for all levels of players, IPTPA rating sessions
and specialty camps for all ages. The academy also
organizes a full schedule of round robins, challenge court
play and other competition for members and the public.
Court rental is available to the community and visiting
players.
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