Largest pickleball complex in Michigan with 16 courts to open in 2025

NORTHVILLE, MI – Construction will soon begin on what will be the largest pickleball complex in Michigan.

The Northville Pickleball Club offers 16 indoor courts on a 50,000 square foot facility in Northville, approximately 30 miles west of Detroit and 20 miles east of Ann Arbor.

The brand new pickleball facility is scheduled to open in 2025.

“I am excited for Northville to be home to this and am grateful that our residents will have this amenity in the community. Pickleball has grown so quickly and the opening of the Northville Pickleball Club will provide residents with access to a world-class facility,” Northville Township Supervisor Mark Abbo said in a statement.

Pickleball, which combines elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis, is America’s fastest-growing sport.

Related: Check out photos from day three of the Beer City Open Pickleball Tournament

The Northville Pickleball Club hopes to become one of the “nation’s premier facilities” through a partnership between Ward Church, private investment and public support, a news release said. The club will be located in Ward Church, a 1,500-member Evangelical Presbyterian congregation near freeways I-275 and I-96.

“We don’t see ourselves as just a church building with Sunday services. We want to be good neighbors and an integral part of the fabric of the local community – all week long, all year long. We want to serve our neighboring community. And we try to use our building and grounds for that purpose,” said Scott McKee, senior pastor of Ward Church.

The Northville Pickleball Club will be an indoor facility “built by pickleball players for pickleball players,” according to a press release. There will be daily open play, skill-specific play and pickleball clinics, plus there will be a pro shop, cafe, meeting rooms and a player lounge.

Two local residents, Mike Schmitt and Mike Kowalczyk, have teamed up with Christy Howden, owner of Wolverine Pickleball, to develop the new facility. Howden brings her experience in founding Wolverine Pickleball, a sprawling 36,000-square-foot facility that opened in Ann Arbor last year.

Related: What is pickleball and why is Michigan excited about this growing sport?

“The Northville Pickleball Club will be a new community that fosters relationships, both new and long-standing friendships. A place where new players can feel welcome and begin their pickleball journey with lessons and game times with other new players and experienced players to play competitively,” said Howden.

The popularity of pickleball has skyrocketed in recent years. According to the Sport & Fitness Industry Association, participation nearly doubled in 2022 and increased 158% in three years. Michigan hosts one of the largest professional pickleball tournaments in the country. The Beer City Open draws 100,000 people to Grand Rapids each summer and offers $100,000 in prize money.

The Northville Pickleball Club expects to break ground on the facility this summer and plans a grand opening in 2025.