Passion for Pickleball: New Company Brings Dedicated Field and Love of the Sport to Ann Arbor

ANN ARBOR, MI – A newly opened pickleball court in Ann Arbor brings the sport – and people’s passion for it – to the area.

Wolverine Pickleball, 119 Jackson Industrial Drive, is the only dedicated indoor pickleball facility in the area, according to Christy Howden, co-owner of the facility with Leslie White.

Pickleball is played with a paddle and a perforated plastic ball. Because the ball is slower and the paddles are larger than typical ping pong paddles, the game is easy to learn, even for young or uncoordinated players.

A mix of volleyball, tennis and table tennis, pickleball is a sport people “are obsessed with,” Howden said.

“It’s a secret world,” she said.

The facility attracts people from across the state, including Lansing, Battle Creek, and Novi, as well as Toledo, Ohio. One of the frequent attendees is Julie Adams, a member who is from Brighton.

“You can always find people to play at your level,” Adams said.

Adams said she particularly enjoys the social aspect of the game, which is cultivated by rotating team players during play.

Wolverine Pickleball member Marcia Smith said she also enjoys the social part of pickleball.

“It’s a team, but it’s an individual,” she said. “We are addicted.”

Wolverine Pickleball launched in October 2020, but “thrived” during the pandemic, Howden said.

“As word of our facility spreads throughout the pickleball community and the community at large, we have more and more players joining us to learn how to play and improve their level of play,” Howden said, adding that it is a “socially distanced sport”. . “

A Wolverine Pickleball membership costs $ 25 per month and offers discounts for pickleball sessions, as well as access to out-of-hours games and other perks.

With a subscription, a two-hour weekday session costs $ 5 before 5 p.m. and $ 7 after 5 p.m. or on weekends. For non-members, the cost is $ 8 and $ 10, respectively. Private lessons and lessons are also available.

Wolverine Pickleball also intends to expand, potentially offering food and other activities, Howden said.

“It’s a stepping stone,” Howden said.

To learn more about Wolverine Pickleball, visit the website here.

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