THE RISE OF CINEMAS-TURNED- PICKLEBALL FACILITIES
In about 15 locations across the country, moviegoers are trading popcorn for paddles.
The physical infrastructure of movie theaters provides a good fit for pickleball courts. They have high ceilings for lobs, expansive floor plans, strong HVAC systems, heavily insulated walls for acoustical control, and plenty of parking.
CORISSA TOBIN AND AUSTIN MARTINEZ ARE LICENSED CHIROPRACTORS AND PHYSICAL THERAPISTS. THEY ARE EMPLOYED BY AN OUTSIDE COMPANY BUT HAVE TWO ROOMS AT CENTERLINE 33.
“ Advanced internal LED lenses distribute light throughout the court, rather than creating a down light, which can cause spotlighting and glare,” Pacific Courts owner Jeff Strachan says.“ Shadows are eliminated when you overlap the light distribution from numerous fixtures from above. If the distribution is done properly, you can eliminate shadows from the nets, from paddles and from players.”
Meanwhile, Rick Barry, in addition to being voted one of the NBA’ s 50 greatest players in history, is a savvy businessman. He thinks big-picture and wants CenterLine 33 to be the start of something big for pickleball players everywhere.
“ Hopefully,” Rick says,“ CenterLine 33 will become a blueprint for other movie complex theaters that go out of business.”
There are good options for players visiting CenterLine 33 from out of town looking for a place to stay. They include the Graton Resort & Casino in Rohnert Park and the luxurious Vinarosa Resort & Spa in nearby Santa Rosa.
Besides everything else it offers, CenterLine 33 sells beer and wine. Players who get pickled on the court hopefully won’ t get pickled at the bar afterward. •
Matthew Schwartz spent 40 years in television news and won more than 200 awards, including four Emmys and four Edward R. Murrow awards for investigative reporting. His 2020 memoir,“ Confessions of an Investigative Reporter,” was an Amazon # 1 bestseller. He writes a weekly blog for Hudef Sport and plays pickleball six days a week.
What once were movie theater lobbies, concession stands and ticket counters have become pro shops, smoothie stands and sports bars.
Padeland – Chandler, Arizona Padeland is the newest theater conversion, opening in August with seven pickleball courts and three padel courts. Like most pickleball clubs, Padeland offers more than pickleball. It is a social and entertainment center with a restaurant and bar, a craft brewery and wellness therapy.
There is a sauna for sore muscles and a cold plunge, which provides members with an icy change from the sweltering Arizona summer.
Bounce Pickle & Play – Biddeford, Maine Bounce Pickle & Play opened its six-court, 22,000-square-foot club in 2025, and includes a restaurant, sports bar and golf simulator.
“ I feel that a location that experiences severe weather, too hot or too cold for lengthy periods during the year, may not offer great outdoor play options,” says managing partner Richard Evans.
Indoor clubs can have great courts, location and amenities, but to survive long term, they need revenue from memberships and dropin players. Richard notes that Bounce has memberships but focuses largely on a dropin model.
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