CORNELIUS, N.C. — Pickleball is one of the most popular sports in the country right now. As the sport continues to grow in popularity, more areas are looking to add courts, including Cornelius.
Developers in Cornelius are seeking to build a facility called, "The Serve Pickleball Club." The Pre-Development Review Committee listened to a pitch on the possible pickleball facility coming to town.
Attorney Larry Shaheen, who represented the development proposal, said Cornelius is the perfect fit for this kind of facility.
“There is an absolute desire to see more facilities and then the applicants, Jack and Robin Salzman, wanted to fill that need and also be able to continue to do their work in the community," Shaheen said.
While pickleball is popular and enjoyed by people of all ages and skills, some people in communities near the proposed development are concerned about the noise.
“Most of the homes are anywhere between 507 and 100 feet away, so we don't anticipate there being a noise issue," Shaheen said. "But that is something we're continuing to do, the work you're working on is something we're gonna continue to focus on and make sure that there's gonna be zero impact too.”
The proposed project will include a 51,000-square-foot pickleball club and restaurant located on Chartown Drive. A lot of the space is designed to benefit the area. One of the most important goals of developers give back to the town.
Shaheen said the developers want to "provide a fantastic asset for the town of Cornelius that they can be proud of and that folks will be able to use throughout their time here in the town."
One business already benefitting from the popular sport is Rally, in Charlotte. Barrett Worthington is one of the co-founders of the Rally.
“The biggest sort of rewarding aspect of it for us has been seeing the retention and the return of the regular guests that are coming day after day," Worthington said.
Rally has been going strong in Charlotte since it opened in July 2023. Rally has filled 85% of their classes and welcomed 30,000 players on the courts and 40,000 people in the dining areas.
Both businesses have the main goal of continuing to serve the community by providing access to the popular sport.
“It's not just providing a place to play, but a place that that you really can find your people and you know, have something of value," Worthington said.
Developers for The Serve Pickleball Club are applying for conditional rezoning with hopes of moving into the process for public community hearings.
Contact Myles Harris at mharris5@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.