With the new year fully underway, one extremely popular industry trend from 2023 is still gaining more steam and traction — pickleball. The game is still the most popular sport in the U.S. with more clubs joining the craze and adding it to their offerings.
Frank Lawrence, the CEO of Little Rock Athletic Centers, recently sat down with Club Solutions Magazine Podcast host Rachel Zabonick-Chonko to discuss the ongoing trend. Lawrence is currently in the process of opening a new, expansive pickleball complex. He discusses why he’s excited about this new opportunity, what you need to know if you want to open a similar space and more.
Listen to the conversation below.
Show Notes
- At 1:01 Lawrence provides an overview of his facilities and central pillars of operation.
- Lawrence details the new pickleball complex which will include eight indoor courts at 1:26.
- At 1:57 learn what features were important to include at this new facility and when the club decided to make a push into pickleball.
- Lawrence shares his best practices and advice for opening a pickleball complex at 3:09.
- At 4:41 Lawrence discusses the reality of why the sport is trending and why he believes it will stick around for a long time.
- Hear what will make the new facility at Little Rock Athletic Centers unique from other pickleball centers and attractions at 5:31.
- At 6:41 Lawrence shares what other clubs are doing to have success with the trend and what strategies his club is utilizing.
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