America’s fastest-growing sport has found a new home in central Florida with the opening of Clash Yard, an indoor pickleball and entertainment space.
Tucked away in the shadow of Walt Disney World just off Route 192, this recently opened property features 10 courts, full dining and a bar in a 48,000 square foot former grocery store. It features a menu, arcade games, and event space.
There are many outdoor pickleball courts in Central Florida, but these courts require you to bring your own equipment and are usually reserved for experienced players. Visiting a crash yard allows beginners to learn the basics in a judgment-free space.
“The best thing for beginners is to get a feel for the ball. If you join our beginner class, I’m not going to make you play by the rules or keep score.” , said Evan Addington, Director of Pickleball at Clash Yard Orlando. “We will teach you the basics of court spacing, how to serve, how to return, and how to score points.”
The new facility caters to experienced players with a membership program that provides exclusive access during certain hours, but new players have many ways to learn through classes, drills, lessons and camps. Later this year, Crash Yard will be unveiling a league where players of various skill levels can hone their talents on the court.
“It’s very easy to get into pickleball, but it’s very difficult to master, so there’s still an addictive level of challenge,” he said. “You want to keep playing and progress, but it’s not frustrating at first.”
Addington said pickleball was invented 60 years ago but has become popular in recent years.
“It was invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington. It was popular in Washington state and then gradually spread across the United States,” he said. “It’s the only sport where three generations can play together and have fun.”
Since pickleball hit its stride during the COVID-19 pandemic, the average age of players has dropped to about 35 years old, and participation has declined, according to a report from the Sports and Fitness Industry Association and the Sports and Fitness Industry Association. It has increased by more than 200% in three years. pickle head. Crush Yard’s Orlando location will be the company’s second store, joining one already open in Charleston, South Carolina. Two stores are under construction in Nashville, Tennessee and Huntsville, Alabama.
With two private event spaces, Crush Yard accommodates birthday parties, corporate events and banquets, with in-house catering available. While pickleball is the main attraction, some visitors come for menu items such as rice bowls, salads, pinsa pizza, sliders, fries, nachos, and wings. The bar offers 24 beers on tap, seltzers, cocktails and wine. Arcade games, ping pong, cornhole, air hockey, and shuffleboard complete the experience.
Find @PConnPie on Instagram or email pconnolly@orlandosentinel.com.
If you go
Crash Yard Orlando is located at 7840 W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway in Kissimmee and is open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to midnight, Friday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to midnight, and Sunday from 10 a.m. to midnight. Open until 10am. Court rental rates start at $48 per hour and classes start at $30, with discounts available for members. Drop-in fees are also available for access to the communal courts. Paddle rentals are $6 per paddle and $10 for three balls (no rentals). The bar and restaurant are open to the public daily and close one hour earlier than the pickleball courts. For more information, visit crushyard.com/orlando.
