There is a new indoor facility coming to North Sarasota in late 2024. “The more the merrier,” I say. Heather and Tim Dull, the developers, and I met for a second time to talk about what their pickleball facility is going to be about.
First, without giving me the exact location, it is going to be west of 75 and somewhere north of the airport. It is already an existing building and will focus exclusively on pickleball. No frills, no restaurant, no bocce ball; just good old pickleball. Built for the pickleball enthusiast.
I like Heather’s and Tim’s laid-back attitude. Their down-to-earth personalities are totally relatable and welcoming. I would imagine their facility will have the same atmosphere. Come on in and play pickleball. Everyone is welcome!
This location will have 11 courts, a kitchen area for catering and private parties, and restrooms. “Maybe a ping pong table,” said Tim. “But nothing more. We are focusing on pickleball.”
Their brochure did mention a pro shop. You got to have a pro shop.
Heather and Tim are pickleball lovers. They play whenever they can. They just helped sponsor a pickleball tournament at Pompano and plan to do more.
They hail from Maryland where they were avid tennis players, but COVID shut down all the courts. Before COVID they did see the start of their tennis friends migrating over to pickleball, so Tim had the great idea to order a net and paddles on Amazon, and turn his driveway into a makeshift pickleball court. And that’s what started his and Heather’s pickleball fever.
The Dulls were already investors in other companies and businesses, so when the owner’s of Dill Dinkers approached when a pickleball investment opportunity arose, they were all IN.
Soon they thought about their winter location in Sarasota and the need for more indoor pickleball, and that adding Dill Dinkers in the sunshine state just made sense.
There’s a growing need for indoor clubs as the population of players continues to grow, and that is how Heather and Tim are spreading the Joy of Pickleball.
I said, “Everybody is going to want to know how much?” No initiation fee and $49.95 per month plus discounted court fees. Court rentals will be through Court Reserve, and members will be able to reserve seven days in advance. In addition to court fees, non-members may make reservations up to two days in advance.
Also offered will be lessons, clinics, open play, and tournaments. Members will be able to bring their own food and beverages, and have private parties. The club will hold special events like Pizza and Pickle. It sounds like a great time.
As the Dulls open other locations around Sarasota, Bradenton and Venice, membership at one will work at all the other locations. I should mention that there is a discount if you pay for a 12 month membership upfront.
I inquired about the ability of a pickleball coach (Pickleball Terry) to rent out courts for clinics and about volunteering. They replied positively to both questions. I plan to do both once it opens.
If you would like more information, you can go to the Dill Dinkers website.
To sign up for more information and to be on the waiting list, scan the code.
Thanks for reading,
Pickleball Terry
PPR Certified Coach
Dealer for Gearbox, Diadem, Veloz
Dinkpickleball@gmail.com
