BETHLEHEM, Pa. — For Chris Monteith and Colleen Van Ee, pickleball is more than just a rising sport.
"It's such a community," Monteith said.
Come mid-November, Monteith will own and operate the first Pickleball Kingdom location in the Lehigh Valley, with Van Ee — who initially was hired as the location's marketing specialist — serving as club director.
"We think we're in a great place, and it's a great location there."Pickleball Kingdom developer Chris Monteith
Monteith said taking root in the Valley wasn't part of the original plan.
Available buildings in Upper Bucks County, where Monteith said he initially wanted to set up shop, didn't fit the indoor space requirements for the sport, but the 60,000-square-foot space at 2180 MacArthur Road offered just that, and more, he said.
"The biggest thing is that, of course, we need the floor space," Monteith said. "But we also need heights, and we need an 18-foot height minimum. Anything more than that is a bonus."
Inside the now-gutted building at the Whitehall Square shopping center, Monteith got a 4-foot bonus.
"It's awesome," he said with a smile. "We think we're in a great place, and it's a great location there."
They said they're aiming for a mid-November grand opening, which Van Ee said is "perfect" timing for residents to shift to indoor play.
'A community draw'
The space isn't just to accommodate the game, Monteith and Van Ee stressed, but to foster the community within.
The area's first Pickleball Kingdom facility will include: 14 pickleball courts, a court for "differently abled" players and a pro shop.
Also, event rooms, professional work spaces for club members with "fluid" work schedules, dinking areas, locker rooms, a "fun space" on the mezzanine, lounge areas and maybe even a cafe or bistro.
"We really want this to be a community draw," Van Ee told LehighValleyNews.com during an exclusive tour. "It's not just for people who are avid pickleball players.
"It's exciting, but it's hard because no one really knows the full potential of pickleball right now."
That's much like the full potential of the facility: Van Ee said the ideas keep flowing as the interior begins to take shape.
Monteith and Van Ee both expressed interest in "getting a cafe up and running" inside the space. If not, high-end vending machines would take its place, they said.
To offer versatility and promote the concept of a community hub, Van Ee said she's also exploring the idea of food truck nights, since one of the indoor exits leads to the rear parking lot.
One thing is for certain, though: Their goal is to hit 1,400 members, Van Ee said.
Pickleball's growth 'undeniable'
Monteith said they'll inch closer to announcing details such as hours, initiation fees and membership pricing closer to the grand opening of Pickleball Kingdom.
Memberships for a Pickleball Kingdom location in Hamilton, New Jersey, range from $125 for one person to $295 for a family membership and $230 for a team membership.
Those include benefits such as unlimited open play, free guest passes each month, discounts on ball machine rentals and private court reservation credits.
"Pickleball's explosive growth across the country is undeniable, and Pennsylvania's passion for the sport is at an all-time high."Ace Rodrigues, Founder and CEO of Pickleball Kingdom
Pricing varies by location. In Centerville, Ohio, a team membership costs $175 per month and a family membership $215 per month.
Currently, there are no other Pickleball Kingdom locations in Pennsylvania to compare pricing — the franchise's Whitehall location will be the first in the state as it continues its rapid expansion nationwide.
The company's LinkedIn profile says it has awarded more than 350 franchises with more than 5,250 courts.
"Pickleball's explosive growth across the country is undeniable, and Pennsylvania's passion for the sport is at an all-time high," Pickleball Kingdom founder and Chief Executive Officer Ace Rodrigues of said in a news release.
"We are thrilled to bring Pickleball Kingdom to Lehigh Valley and create a welcoming space where players of all skill levels can connect, compete and elevate their game."
In the release, Monteith shared his excitement about being able to offer Lehigh Valley pickleball players a year-round facility.
Fills a 'social connection need'
So far, Monteith and Van Ee said, they have only heard excitement from the local pickleball community that echoes off of their own. (Though there won't be any of that inside the soundproofed building.)
"It seems because there's a lot of people — and I think I need to include Colleen in it and I guess myself — that are just obsessed with pickleball."Pickleball Kingdom developer Chris Monteith
"It seems because there's a lot of people — and I think I need to include Colleen in it and I guess myself — that are just obsessed with pickleball," Monteith said.
"Once they get into it, it's such a community. You know, it's great to hear this from other people beyond just my friends that are, of course, sharing it or thumbs-upping it because they know me.
"To hear from some of the other people that they just can't wait for [Pickleball Kingdom to open], and when they get in there and see it and everything that we're going to have, I think it's going to be really exciting and a winner."
Van Ee said she can't wait to see what events the space can offer, such as networking or even pickleball speed dating.
In a post-COVID-19 world, Van Ee said, she's excited for the community to come together.
"This is a social connection need," she said. "And this space fills that."
