REAL DILL PICKLEBALL CLUB LAUNCHES NATIONAL EXPANSION
By Emma Masur
As awareness of pickleball has hit an all-time high , demand to play the game has consequently eclipsed the supply of courts available for all types of players . Courts are being built at a record pace in municipalities , recreational centers and fitness centers , and several privately developed facilities have been announced as well .
That said , excessive wait times and stories of sub-optimal experiences still surround the otherwise purely enjoyable nature of the game . Courts with little to no fees are great , but they often come with limitations like having no ability to make reservations , only being available for outdoor use , or being crammed into an old ( and noisy !) warehouse .
So , what exactly does an ideal facility for pickleball look like ? Enter Real Dill Pickleball Club (
playrealdill . com ), the latest to add its name to the list of pickleball entertainment venues around the country .
Founded by Aimwell Development Co . from Chicago , Real Dill pickleball clubs are dedicated facilities meant to satisfy the needs of both competitive and recreational players alike . With the first two locations opening in
Indoor pickleball courts and social area at The Real Dill Pickleball Club .
A rendering of The Real Dill Pickleball Club , opening first in Columbus and St . Louis , with more locations in development .
Columbus , Ohio , and St . Louis , Missouri , in 2023 , Aimwell expects to announce three additional locations by the end of this year . And with top-tier financial backing , the sky ’ s the limit on what it can do to further the sport of pickleball !
For the competitive player , Real Dill Pickleball Club offers private courts for intense gameplay , including stadium-style seating to facilitate and serve spectators . With 8-12 private courts at each location , Real Dill is designed to accommodate small tournaments , league play , and ladder play without having to stop a game each time a ball flies onto another court !
The facilities are purposefully designed to limit “ noise bleed ” from adjacent games , and each court is served by hospitality professionals charged with accommodating whatever patrons may need .
Likewise for the recreational player and those who are just in search of a social , yet active experience , Real Dill offers a fullservice restaurant and bar with extensive outdoor seating . During the summer , the outdoor plaza offers patrons a variety of activities such as bocce , rolle bolle , and croquet to encourage a familyfriendly atmosphere .
The menu is described as clubstyle , with options that cater toward players picklin ’ at all times of the day . Light juice and coffee will be provided in the morning with a transition to pizza and hearty handhelds in the afternoons and evenings . Wine , beer , and cocktails are served throughout the day .
A Family Entertainment Center provides a space for children to play together while their parents play pickleball . With a wide range of arcade games , video games , shuffleboard , Skee-Ball , ping pong , and billiards , there is plenty for all to enjoy !
“ The Real Dill is not a club in the sense of being exclusive ,” explains Managing Principal Todd Reed . “ We are a club in the sense that we build communities of players and provide them with a comfortable place to grow their game .” •
JULY / AUGUST 2022 | MAGAZINE 17