Dave Gilreath and Ron Brock have caught the pickleball wave and they're crashing it into central Indiana.
It's not like the pair didn't have enough going on. They are the founders and managing partners of Indianapolis investment management company Sheaff Brock, a business they started in 2001.
But then Gilreath started playing pickleball in Florida. One thing led to another, and the initial result is The Picklr Keystone Crossing, in what was a former Office Max at 3810 E. 82nd St. The facility held its grand opening Dec. 21.
The 30,000-square-foot club features 10 fully fenced indoor courts, a pro shop, private event space, unlimited league play, tournaments, youth academies and open play. There are several membership options available. It's open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week.
Gilreath said he was motivated to champion indoor pickleball because of the aggravating popping noise the game creates for neighbors when ball meets racket, and the weather in Indiana.
Gilreath and Brock walked through the former Office Max during the 2023 holidays and envisioned how pickleball could be played in the space. They signed a lease soon after the tour.
"The things you're looking for are square footage and ceiling height," Brock said. "It's such a strong location with all the young professionals who are great candidates to be members of our club."
Pickleball's popularity is well documented. USA Pickleball claims it is the fastest-growing sport in the U.S., played by about the same number of people -- approximately 13.6 million -- as outdoor soccer in 2023. The trade group says core participants, defined as a person who has played pickleball at least eight times in the previous 12 months, grew 111 percent between 2022 and 2023.
What may be surprising is that the growth has not solely come from older players with their "Silver Sneakers" cards. USA Pickleball says the highest number of pickleball players in 2023 fell within the 25 to 34 age range and more than one million children under 18 picked up the sport between 2022 and 2023.
"You don't see as many people my age as you do in their 30s and 40s," said Gilbreath, 68.
Becca Hsu is the Keystone club's coordinator and leads a staff of approximately 20 part-time employees. There are eight instructors who teach at the facility, too.
Hsu was in physical therapy before making the switch to the pickleball industry, a transition motivated by the social benefits of the game.
"It really unites people," Hsu said. "People are friendly and inclusive. I've been an athlete my whole life and I haven't seen a sport that has the friendly community that pickleball has."
Gilreath and Brock formed a corporation, Pickle Indy, to handle their pickleball plans and the Keystone Crossing location is the first in what is expected to be a total of at least six Picklr clubs in Central Indiana.
The Picklr is a national franchise with 375 nationwide.
The next opening for a Pickle Indy is scheduled for later in January in Noblesville at 9847 Cumberland Pointe Blvd.
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