Picklemall: What is it and why it makes sense in the Coachella Valley

There are many vacant big box stores across the USA and California.  Bed, Bath & Beyond, Target, Burlington Coat Factory, Sears, etc.  We have several vacant big box store locations in the Coachella Valley.

Picklemall is the latest extension of the pickleball craze – what was once a dormant big-box retailer can become a brand-new indoor pickleball facility.  There are 50 new Picklemalls planned to open across the United States.

There is a membership app available, called the Mall Rat.  According to the article, it is approximately $8-$10 per hour per player.

You can read more about Picklemall in Pickleball Magazine. And if you join USA Pickleball, you get a magazine subscription.

Why is this so important in our valley?  Because it is hot in the summer months, and we need an air-conditioned venue to support our addiction.  Also, this could become a destination event with indoor tourneys in the hot months, attracting visitors during our normally slow months.  This could be a great revenue generator and allow locals a place to play out of the heat.

Right now, the maximum number of indoor courts at one location in our valley is 4.  These Picklemalls could accommodate 16-24 courts.

So, I am appealing to businesses, venture capitalists, pickleball fanatics with money, and pickleball companies such as Selkirk, Major League Pickleball, Head, and Engage, as well as Pickleball Central and Pickleball Brackets to look at the Coachella Valley as a great investment for the future for indoor play.

Tennis has hard court, grass and clay.  Why can’t pickleball have indoor and outdoor tournaments and social play?

It would also be a great investment for the Agua Caliente casinos to invest in indoor pickleball courts as a destination for tourists, who would come to play in the event, and then stay in their hotels and spend money gambling and going to shows.  Does anyone have a contact for them?

I welcome your suggestions and comments.

Notes:  I am going outside for lessons starting this week.  It will still be hot, but it is cooling off. Sign up for drill classes with Desert Recreation District or with the Palm Springs Recreation Department.  I will also be teaching at Rancho Mirage Community Park on Saturdays starting in October.  In addition, advanced drill and play on Tuesdays at Civic Center Park will begin at 8 a.m. in November.

First outdoor round robin of the season:  Halloweenie at Civic Center Park in Palm Desert.  We have 12 courts, so we will have senior divisions if enough interest.  Email Mary to register:  mgbarsaleau@gmail.com. My tourney flyers are all posted on PickleballBrackets.com

Coach Mary's Tip of the Week

Mastering your pickleball power shots is an important part to your game. So let's discuss tips for improving net clearance and precision.

We are circling back to Sara Ansboury for a great video on using your body, your shoulders, and your hips to improve power shots.

How many times have you had a big put-a-way but you either dump it in the net or hit it out?

Ansboury emphasizes several things in the video:

** Incorporating your off arm and hand in your power shot

** Not staying “open” – close your shoulders to create more power

** Leading with your opposite shoulder -- this creates hip and shoulder rotation, adding power.

** Paddle does not finish down – finish out.  If your paddle is above the net, you can finish over the net, rather than dumping the ball into the net.

Something to add: Keep your focus on the holes in the ball.  If you look at the big target area, you are not focusing on contact.  See the holes.

My students know that my mantra is “hips and shoulders!”  Contact in front, generate power behind the ball, use your off hand to create power.  Most of all – paddle in front.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Picklemall: Why we need it in the Coachella Valley