Pickleball is helping community rec centers transform underused areas into vibrant spaces for movement, connection and growth.
The sport of pickleball has exploded into a nationwide movement, promoting a rise in outdoor fitness, and community recreation centers are taking full advantage. Facilities across the country are transforming, launching leagues, and building massive courts and complexes dedicated to the game.
In Northeast Ohio, the North Royalton Family YMCA is seeing strong results after investing in indoor pickleball programming, such as community engagement, health programming and member satisfaction increases.
“The YMCA offers pickleball facilities designed to cater to players of all skill levels,” said Jeff Jacko, the executive director of the North Royalton Family Y. “Our well-lit indoor environment ensures optimal play regardless of the weather. We have four indoor courts with surfaces provided by PickleRoll and championship nets — making it ideal for consistent play, especially during colder months.”
The facilities are more than just functional. Programming includes everything from beginner clinics and youth offerings to group lessons and personalized coaching, helping to attract a wide array of participants.
Jacko said member feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with many appreciating the convenience of playing pickleball indoors year-round, regardless of weather concerns.
It’s more than just convenience and Jacko said fostering a community of pickleball enthusiasts has been rewarding for the Y. Through offering a range of options for friendly matches or league play — and prioritizing health and wellness with player amenities like ball machines, paddles and relaxation areas — the Y has found success.
The success of new pickleball additions allows them to branch out further.
“We’re excited to supplement the area outdoor courts this summer and give pickleball enthusiasts a place to play in the colder, more inclement months,” said Jacko. “Our programming is designed to introduce, improve and expand the level of play, and create a sense of community within the sport.”
The North Royalton Family Y is collaborating with partners like JOOLA and the City of North Royalton to continue building momentum.
Jacko also emphasized the sport’s inclusivity as a major asset, encouraging community rec operators to take advantage of the rise of popularity.
“Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport, attracting an array of skill levels and players,” said Jacko. “Design spaces and programs to assist players of all levels and ages to enhance the inclusivity and social aspects of the sport.”
Another facility jumping on the train is the Valley of the Sun JCC. The JCC has turned its pickleball offerings into a full-fledged community space, also combining indoor and outdoor play.
“We have three new state-of-the-art outdoor pickleball courts,” said Daniel Barelli, the sports director of the JCC. “Also, we have four courts/nets set up inside as well that are utilized in the mornings and weekends. We offer everything from group lessons, private lessons, leagues — including for ages Pre-K to ninth grade, as well as senior citizen leagues, and of course adult leagues 18 and older.”
The JCC has leaned into structured programming to support all levels of play from casual beginners to competitive tournament players. They have beginner, intermediate and advanced dedicated time slots, as well as the option for members to reserve a court. In addition to this, the JCC runs weekend tournaments.
Barelli said the reaction to these efforts and additions has been wonderful and credits the sport’s versatility as the reason for its success. He also added a dedicated group of volunteers known as “Pickleball Ambassadors” is helping create community.
“Pickleball Ambassadors are always on the courts helping new members/players get started, introducing folks to other players, and overall aiding in creating a very friendly, fun and competitive atmosphere,” said Barelli.
These community-building touches have helped transform the sport from just another fitness option into a true culture of play and inclusion. Barelli said they have seen consistent attendance day in and day out from players who show up and use the facility. He also mentioned when the JCC committed to building outdoor official courts, attendance and interest skyrocketed.
“Our members feel a connection and friendship that’s closer and stronger than they would feel with an outside pickleball vendor,” said Barelli.
The growing enthusiasm for pickleball isn’t isolated. As more community centers recognize the sport’s potential to bring people together, they’re investing in dedicated facilities to meet the demand.
At the Anaheim Family YMCA, the center is preparing to launch one of the largest pickleball-focused expansions across the country.
“We’re building six indoor courts within an Airnasium structure,” said Brent Finlay, the president and CEO of the Anaheim Family Y. “Think of it as an outdoor field house, there’s no walls, but it’s covered. Then we’ll have six outdoor courts, so we’ll have a total of 12 courts.”
The facility is scheduled to open in early 2026 and is designed for maximum comfort during play with large fans, lighting and covered areas to allow for year-round outdoor experiences.
But the Anaheim Y is also thinking beyond infrastructure.
The Y’s approach includes strategic partnerships, creative event planning like wine-and-pickleball mornings with local wineries and specialized “get fit to play” fitness programs which prepare new players for competition.
They’re also partnering with Disney for a couple of Disney-related pickleball classics since they’ve been working together for nearly 50 years. He recommends community rec getting creative with partnerships.
“We’re going to be folding in leagues, lessons, tournaments, clinics — anything and everything pickleball,” said Finlay. “We’re going to really kind of explode out of the gates here as we launch.
He also encouraged other Ys and recreation centers to consider dedicated space if they’re able, and not just repurpose multipurpose gyms.
The Anaheim Y is building an outdoor, covered athletic training center to accompany its pickleball additions and benefit from its outdoor popularity. It’ll be a 5,000 square foot turf area, which will complement their pickleball initiatives with conditioning and performance training.
Finlay said pairing outdoor pickleball with fitness programming, like strength classes and agility training, is part of a vision to get people outside and moving.
“I’ve never really seen anything like pickleball, and I’ve been within the Y network for 38-39 years,” said Finlay. “We’re expecting very large increases in our adult and our senior categories of our membership.”
That kind of enthusiasm isn’t just anecdotal — it reflects a larger trend across community organizations. Facilities are reporting measurable growth in participation and membership, especially among older adults, as pickleball continues to prove its value beyond recreation.
Pickleball is helping rec centers turn outdoor spaces into engines for health. It’s more than a sport, it’s a gateway to outdoor fitness, social connection and community wellness. As more recreation centers invest in the game, the results speak for themselves: full courts, thriving leagues and communities strengthened one paddle swing at a time.
