Domed pickleball facility plays for winter opening in Highland Park

While slightly delayed from initial projections, Highland Park’s domed pickleball facility will still be open by the time cold weather strikes, park district officials say.

The Park District of Highland Park’s 50,000-square-foot pickleball and padel facility — dubbed Club Pickle and Padel — reportedly will open this winter.

The project replaces a 15-year-old dome managed by the park district that “exhausted its useful service life,” said Nick Baird, director of recreation for the Park District of Highland Park, in a memo sent to city officials earlier this year.

The dome is on City of Highland Park land but is managed by the park district. The district had leased the space for use as an athletic complex.

The new facility will be a year-round operation with 10 pickleball courts, four padel courts, a reception area with gear and concession sales, and restrooms. The proposed hours are 6 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Friday and 7 a.m.-8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. 

“In keeping with the character of the park district, Club Pickle and Padel will be an extraordinary destination where residents and players of all ages and abilities feel welcome,” Park District Executive Director Brian Romes said in a statement. “This new facility has been designed to create an inclusive hub, with state-of-the-art amenities, where pickleball and padel enthusiasts, as well as the curious newcomers, can gather, meet, compete, and learn to play the world’s fastest growing sports.”

The $4.2 million project is partly funded by Highland Park native Ron Saslow, who donated $2 million to the project.

The rest of the funding will come from the Parks Foundation of Highland Park, individual and business donors, sponsors, and the park district.

“Pickleball is a sport that brings people together,” Saslow said to the district. “It’s easy to learn, it’s a very social game, and I’m thrilled to be able to help bring a state-of-the-art facility to the community I love.”

Facility leadership

As the new facility gets closer to opening, the park district also announced its leader: Zach Pellowski, an experienced pickleball instructor who will be the pro at Club Pickle and Padel.

Pellowski is currently the head pickleball pro at Deer Creek Racquet Club and the pickleball facility at Danny Cunniff Park. The 29-year-old has a racquetball background and was a decorated player in the junior circuit before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force. He continued playing the sport until the pandemic, when pickleball surged, according to the park district profile of Pellowski.

“What I love about the design of the Club is that the district has focused on the little details that make a big difference to players: the court layout, the colors, the lighting — they all impact the way the facility will feel,” Pellowski said in the profile. “It shows a great deal of respect for the game and the players, and it’s going to be an exceptional facility for all skill levels. This will be a great opportunity for everyone on the North Shore to get involved with fun, healthy games — both pickleball and padel — that they can learn quickly and play for life.”

Tournament time

A fourth annual North Shore Smash for Charity tournament from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. on Sept. 21 at Danny Cunniff Park will benefit the parks foundation. It will include men’s, women’s and mixed divisions.

Pellowski will be on hand to meet and greet participants and guests.

Registration is now open.

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