Last New Year’s Eve, Kayse and Jason Beasley held the grand opening of Pickle & Taps, a 10-court indoor pickleball facility with a drill room on South 13th Street in Wilmington.

The couple, who met on a blind date 10 years ago, has been playing the game for nearly two years. The Beasleys’ idea for an indoor pickleball facility came from travel for business and commuting to Brunswick County to play when the weather was bad.

“We had been discussing business ideas for a bit, and after six months of playing, had locked in the idea of bringing Wilmington its first indoor venue,” Jason Beasley said.

They’re part of the latest trends in the pickleball craze – an increase in indoor pickleball courts. In addition to weather-proof play and climate control, the advantages of indoor pickleball are numerous, enthusiasts say. Playing conditions are consistent, no wind or shifting sunlight, no chance for sunburn or heat stroke. Indoor facilities operate well into the evening hours, which offers extended play time.

Technology also plays a big role as pickleball moves indoors. Indoor courts frequently feature surfaces with cushioned flooring and superior traction for optimal ball bounce and footing. The softer surfaces are also easier on joints, lowering the chance of injury and enhancing player comfort.

At Pickle & Taps, the courts have AI-powered cameras that use Save My Play technology. “This enables a player to capture a game or training session for review with a coach or to capture and post highlights on social media,” Jason Beasley said. “We also use Court Reserve, an application that allows clients to view our schedule and book private or social play at our facility. And we host Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating (DUPR) events where players can build their rating to play in local, regional and national tournaments.”

For the Beasleys, however, it’s the mission and values of Pickle & Taps that are the real differentiator.

“Our mission to grow the love of pickleball and foster positive change in our community and our vision is to be the Cape Fear region’s preferred pickleball venue, where all ages and backgrounds are welcome to come socialize, play pickleball and most importantly have fun, is what is most important,” Jason Beasley said.

“That’s what pickleball did for us,” Kayse Beasley said. “We made friends for life and could have never opened this business without them. We are watching our dream become a reality, fulfilling our values and mission daily and are hanging out with the community that we have built and love.”

In hopes of encouraging folks to stick around and socialize before or after play, Pickle & Taps offers food and drink. “We intentionally designed a facility not only focused on play but on the social aspect of the sport. Hence the taps. We offer a comfortable venue with plenty of seating and a bar with 10-plus local craft beers on tap.”

At Wilmington’s Holly Tree Racquet and Swim Club, plans for new indoor and outdoor pickleball courts are moving forward. Following a unanimous vote by the Wilmington City Council in early February, a special use permit was approved for The Club at Midtown. Plans include converting several existing tennis courts into 10 pickleball courts, developing a 33,000-square-foot indoor pickleball facility, renovating the 5,700-square-foot clubhouse and adding more parking.

In another effort to bring pickleball to Wilmington, developers have proposed a 40,800-square-foot entertainment and recreation complex, Strikes, at 5601 Oleander Drive, bringing bowling, axe throwing, arcade games and pickleball to the corridor.

The 29,100-square-foot first floor would have 10 bowling lanes, arcade games, shuffleboard, soft darts, air hockey tables and axe throwing. Plans include a kitchen, private rooms and a bar area that opens up to the outside. An 11,600-square-foot mezzanine would include duckpin bowling, a billiards area, multisport simulators and other gaming areas. Outside, developers have plans for six pickleball courts and an area for cornhole and other yard games. The Wilmington City Council unanimously approved a conditional rezoning request for the project site on March 4.

While the location and opening date are yet to be announced, franchise PickleRage is planning an indoor facility in Wilmington. According to COO David Smith, the local PickleRage will set a new standard for indoor pickleball.

He said the facility’s CushionX courts are designed to provide comfort and performance while advanced state-of-the-art LED lighting, eliminating glare and shadows, as well as climate control, are used to create better playing conditions.

“It will be more than just a place to play,” Smith said. “The club will be a community hub where players of all skill levels can connect, train and compete.”

While drop-in play will be available, members will have perks such as priority court reservations, discounted rates on lessons, clinics and leagues, and access to special events and tournaments. The facility will also offer an on-site pro shop stocked with gear and apparel.

PickleRage aims to cater to the fun social player all the way to the extreme competitor, Smith said.

“Our programming will be best in class,” Smith said. “We listen to our players and design a schedule of events, clinics, tournaments and open play to meet Wilmington’s unique needs.”

Editor's note: This version has been updated to include the Wilmington City Council's approval of a rezoning for Strikes on Oleander Drive and the name of the project.