REGIONAL
matters
NEW ENGLAND ’ S STATE-OF- THE-ART INDOOR PICKLEBALL FACILITY COMING TO SOUTH SHORE OF MASSACHUSETTS
Pickles NE , a new indoor ,
first-of-its-kind , stateof-the-art , climatecontrolled pickleballonly complex , opened in Hanover , Massachusetts , on March 12 .
Pickles was founded by Lisa DeMeritt and Wanda Melampy , two women with a love for the sport of pickleball and the observation that there is a definite lack of indoor courts exclusively dedicated to the sport of pickleball in New England .
Although the South Shore has a number of converted pickleball courts and some outdoor playing areas , DeMeritt and Melampy recognized there were no climatecontrolled , indoor , pickleball-only courts in New England . Much in the original spirit of the creation of pickleball , their vision was to create a local , family-friendly , indoor / outdoor pickleballonly court complex that serves as a gathering place where pickleball enthusiasts from 4 to
94 ( and beyond !) can enjoy . They anticipate offering leagues , lessons , sponsorships , corporate programs , and tournaments .
The complex , located at 357 Columbia Road in Hanover , and adjacent to the current Planet Fitness location , will open with six tournamentsized courts , two dinking kitchens , an upper mezzanine players ’ lounge , and an indoor and outdoor refreshment garden . Four outdoor courts will also be added later this spring .
Because the space will be dedicated exclusively to pickleball , all of the courts will be designed to regulation , with easy-to-see lines , bright colors , and appropriate SportMaster playing surfaces . DeMeritt and Melampy are moving forward in coordination with the USA Pickleball Association , the national governing body for the sport of pickleball in the U . S . that provides players with official rules , tournaments , rankings and promotional materials .
Pickles will offer opportunities for players at all levels , from beginners to professionals , through an inclusive approach that offers various levels of instruction as well as opportunities for ranked players .
Wanda Melampy ( left ) and Lisa DeMeritt founders of Pickles , NE .