Pickleball booms, and a new London facility opens its doors: ‘Amazing sport’

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Having just come off the court at London’s newest pickleball facility, Kathleen Steele is sweating up a storm – but she’s not too out of breath to talk about Smash.

“It’s a great atmosphere,” said Steele, who has played pickleball for 12 years in and around London. “I’ve already run into so many people I’ve known over the years.”

Smash Pickleball on Wharncliffe Road is the latest London business to tap into one of North America’s fastest growing sports. Until now, London pickleball players could use courts at city recreation centres, private clubs that also offer tennis and at Western University and some city schools. 

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But the $2.7-million Smash centre aims to be a game changer, offering nine courts, a pro shop, restaurant and bar and a social club atmosphere for all that just focuses on pickleball, said owner Ed Sater.

“It’s a lot of fun and the social aspect is huge. It’s for all ages. A grandson can play with his grandmother and two guys can play a high-level competitive game. It’s such a generational sport,” Sater said.

Smash offers drop-in classes for those interested in trying the sport. It also has a “Smash Academy” offering classes and clinics for newbies and veterans alike. It offers league and tournament play and an app that can be downloaded to your cellphone.

Smash is also now building a mezzanine area that can be booked for special events and social gatherings, Sater said. “The mezzanine will be the heartbeat of the facility.”

Sater is a London entrepreneur who has worked in construction and real estate development as a partner in Thirteen Architectural and as president of BlueKey Design and Build.

His family immigrated to London from Lebanon when was three and when he was five, moved to California. Always athletic, Sater played college football in California until he suffered a knee injury. He returned to London to go to Western in the early 1990s and then worked in the real estate and construction sector.

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“One of my passions has been to open businesses and get them up and running,” Sater said.

He says he was always active and loved sports. So when a friend challenged him to pickleball a year ago, he was hooked. 

“I used to play baseball every summer and then transition to basketball, just for fun. But it was competitive. When baseball ended last October, a friend of mine said: ‘Let’s go play pickleball.’ I didn’t know what it was,” he said.

After trying to play in the city, he knew a dedicated space was needed. Some clubs had a long wait list and he found other venues lacking. “I wanted to play at a real facility and I didn’t want to wait for up to two years.”

That was one year ago, but the idea for Smash was born. He’s already planning a second location in Collingwood that he hopes to open in 2025.

Smash in London officially opens early in November but is now enjoying a soft opening. It’s already been well received with about 500 people registering.

Hetty Teuber is one of them.

“It’s an amazing sport. The social aspect is wonderful but it’s also physical. I’m teaching my grandkids,” she said. “We needed more places to play.”  

ndebono@postmedia.com

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