Commercial real estate entrepreneurs Brian and Valerie McCarthy, along with business partner Matthew Gordon, have plans to invest $180 million to build at least 15 indoor private pickleball clubs. The first venture, under construction now, is The Pickleball Club’s Sarasota location, by Lakewood Ranch. This and all locations will be members-only, privately owned, for-profit sports clubs, fulfilling the niche for indoor amenity-based pickleball play.
The company’s Lakewood Ranch location will open this December. It sits on 2.4 acres and will include 12 indoor courts, two outdoor courts, a retail shop and café in a 33,000-square-foot facility.
The entrepreneurs have purchased land for two additional Florida locations and are in negotiations for four more.
“Pickleball is the fastest growing sport nationwide with no signs of slowing down,” said co-founder Matthew Gordon. “We plan on being the market leader during this all-important land-grab phase of the i