Pickleball dome opening pushed to the spring

Chicagoland weather can be unpredictable, and consequently, so can its construction projects.

The Park District of Highland Park announced earlier this month that Club Pickle and Padel, a 50,000-square-foot recreational dome, will not be ready for users until the spring.

According to the district, “As you can imagine, erecting a 50,000-square-foot dome is no easy task. Not only will this extraordinary new facility include new mechanicals for heating and air conditioning, but it will also have the welcoming amenities you would expect, such as well-appointed bathrooms and showers,  a pro shop, a lounge, and, of course, safety and security measures consistent with the Park District’s standard of care.”  

Originally aiming for a winter opening, near the end of the outdoor pickleball and paddle tennis seasons, the 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.

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 $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.

Progress on the construction of Club Pickle and Padel is updated online.

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