A new pickleball facility that promises to be the biggest indoor pickleball facility in all of Texas is coming to Dallas-Fort Worth. Well, Plano at least: Called Pickleball Kingdom, it'll open at 1301 Custer Rd., in what was once an Albertsons store, where it will boast 15 indoor courts, coupled with highly sought-after outdoor playing surfaces.

According to a release, the location is a franchise of Pickleball Kingdom, a concept founded in Chandler, Arizona in 2022 and is being brought to North Texas by Dallas entrepreneur Dan Jenkins, who has the rights to develop and operate five Pickleball Kingdom locations across North Texas.

That includes Keller, where Pickleball Kingdom will open a new, from-the-ground-up location at 971 Keller Pkwy. in summer 2024, bringing the same pickleball experience with more dedicated indoor courts, amenities, and a commitment to fostering a vibrant pickleball community in Keller.

Other cities on their to-do list include Grapevine, Prosper, and Flower Mound.

The company’s goal is to provide accessible locations within 10-15 minutes of North Texas’s cities and neighborhoods, offering quick access to anyone who wants to pickleball. The indoor facility means that people can play year-round regardless of the weather.

Features include:

• 15 dedicated pickleball courts, complete with coveted outdoor surfaces
• Food and Beverage Cafe serving coffee, protein shakes, and grab-and-go food options
• Internet lounge for players and members to stay connected between games

They'll also offer complimentary Pickleball 101 introductory group classes to assist newcomers in learning the fundamental rules and skills of the game with a seamless transition into playing. Participants who take a Pickleball 101 class can be playing within an hour.

The facility is also equipped to host corporate events and parties, providing a unique and enjoyable experience for team-building and entertainment.

Pickleball Kingdom is making good use of a former supermarket space, since their locations require a minimum of 40,000 square feet to accommodate capacity.

The release says that the Plano location's owner shares an appreciation for pickleball, and eagerly supports the company's efforts to take over, renovate, and breathe new life into the vacant grocery store.

They call it "a unique synergy between passionate entrepreneur and a receptive property owner, serving as a testament to the transformative power of pickleball and its ability to rejuvenate not only spaces but also entire communities."

Jenkins has a history with pickleball. According to the release, he's been referred to as Papa Pickle.

"Starting from my childhood days of playing pickleball at an outdoor camp, my love for this sport has been a lifelong companion. It's a game that brings people together, creates lasting bonds, and fuels a passion that never fades,” Jenkins says.