IN THE
CLUB
Jumbo
’ s Pickleball
BEAVERTON , OREGON
Nike Has a New Neighbor by DREW WATHEY
As the name on the building implies , pickleball is BIG in the Portland area . Jumbo ’ s Pickleball is satisfying a huge appetite for this ever-evolving sport in Beaverton , Oregon , near the west side of Portland . If the name Beaverton sounds familiar , well , it should . It ’ s home base for a little ol ’ sports company named Nike .
Jumbo ’ s Pickleball opened this year on Feb . 23 and is the first indoor , nine-court facility exclusively dedicated to pickleball . It was named after the father of one of the facility ’ s owners . Jumbo Fernando came to the United States from Sri Lanka in 1969 and played collegiate tennis for the Oregon Ducks .
“ We offered free play for our opening weekend celebration , and needless to say , it was well-received ,” said Nichole Klaes , director of operations for Jumbo ’ s Pickleball . “ We loved meeting the community and seeing so many people compete and have a good time . I think we hosted close to 1,000 guests over the three-day period .”
Jumbo ’ s Pickleball offers nine high-cushioned courts engineered for the truest bounce . The courts are actually the same kind used by the APP Tour , and the facility also features professional-grade indirect lighting for optimal viewing and playing . And , to make sure the pickleballers
PHOTO BY BEN MCBEE are comfortable year-round , the gym is climate controlled . The building remains warm and dry when Oregon ’ s weather calls for it , and cool and shaded from the sun in the summer months .
Additional amenities include two lounge areas , pumping music , a snack bar offering food and beverages ( including wine and beer ), a pro shop with merchandise , and a demo court to test the latest equipment . Members also have access to an upstairs working space to take calls or answer emails , all within a bird ’ s-eye view of the courts .
The buzz around Jumbo ’ s Pickleball has been non-stop since it opened . “ The pickleball community has been very enthusiastic and supportive . We really stepped into a growing community of people who love the sport and what it represents ,” added Klaes . “ We feel very fortunate and very welcomed by everyone in this area .”
Jumbo ’ s offers memberships for those who play the sport a lot , and also happily welcomes non-members interested in playing just a few games at a time . Leagues will be level based , for all levels . Beginners will embrace the social aspect of pickleball while working on their games , and avid picklers can grab their buddies for highly competitive action .
“ The main focus and principal driver for the space was to make it a great experience for everyone in the community . This includes the highest-quality court surfaces , lighting and amenities , and the volume of daily programming and organized play really provides what players want ,” said Klaes .
No doubt Jumbo ’ s Pickleball provides everything for the pickleball enthusiast , and more big things are on the horizon in Beaverton — with or without that recognizable swoosh . •
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