Katrina Hauser 
A new indoor pickleball facility has opened in Fairfield, allowing devotees of the sport to obtain access to a fully functional court at any hour of the day, rain or shine. The space brings a modern, tech-forward approach to the fast-growing sport, making it easier than ever for players to jump into a game. Read on to learn more about X Pickleball Club at 461 US-46 in Fairfield.
About Pickleball
Pickleball is a sport that often finds itself likened to tennis and ping-pong, and has gained popularity in recent years for being easy to learn and accessible for people of all ages. It is played on a court split by a net.
Players, who face off one-on-one or in pairs, trade turns attempting to volley or ‘dink’, a soft shot meant to force an opponent to give up ground, the pickleball with a paddle. Though its courts are smaller than those used for tennis, the sport can be just as rewarding of a workout or as fun of a time, depending on how intense you want to play it.
X Pickleball Club in Fairfield
X Pickleball Club opened its doors in October, after owners transformed the space from a furniture warehouse into an indoor pickleball facility complete with three courts. Each court is equipped with a scoring system that helps keep track of points and turns. There is a small white button at the end of each side of a court that can be pressed to record a point. Though pickleball’s scoring system is affected by which team has served the ball, the software keeps track of all this, so all players have to worry about is firing up their next serve.
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Another element of this technology is instant replay, as the last 45 seconds of a match can be rewound and played on a large screen in the middle of each court. This allows players to instantly settle disputes over whether a ball was in or out of bounds, helping the game move along faster. Additionally, viewers can send a video to themselves if they care to save the memory of a particularly impressive point.
“People love the idea of a fully autonomous experience with the technology and the system that we have. They like how we have the button where you can press it and the scoreboard will adjust by itself. They also love the instant replay because they can actually see themselves playing on TV,” said Jad Homsi, part of the ownership team at X Pickleball Club.
The club allows guests to make a reservation through the website and the app. Upon making a reservation, users are sent the keycode for the building’s door. Because the facility is open 24 hours a day, guests are welcome to help themselves into the camera-monitored facility to get their workouts in at any time, as long as they abide by the rules on the waiver that every guest must sign.
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Up to six people may enter the facility for a single reservation, which costs $25 for 30 minutes during off-peak hours and $30 for 30 mins at busier times, such as evenings and weekend mornings. These prices are different for club members, who receive discounts on court bookings, clinics, and open play events; the standard membership price is $20 per month.
Club Benefits
Guests who are not actively on a court are invited to relax in any of the space’s waiting areas. The building has couches, tables, a vending machine, a hydration station, a microwave, and a mini-fridge available for use. Non-alcoholic food and drinks are permitted off the courts, which is convenient for small groups but particularly of use for private parties like birthdays or corporate events, during which about 50 people can fill the space.
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The club also hosts clinics to encourage new players, as well as leagues and open plays, which are two-hour events where individuals compete against other solo players. An open play exclusively for senior adults has been very popular with older community members looking to get active, and currently recurs on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at the club. These spaces are opportunities for local pickleball enthusiasts to find people to play with and, potentially, befriend.
“I was surprised to see a lot of people that when we opened, they came by themselves, and didn’t know anyone, now they know everyone here…It’s been interesting to see how we can build a community as well as a business,” Jad said.
Drop-in events like these open plays cost $20 for non-members. Clinics are $35 for a 90-minute session. Private coaching is also available.
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