Former Unity fitness facility converts to pickleball courts

Charles and Stephanie Pienaar closed Omega Fitness and Crossfit Ageless in Unity last year when they decided to attend Bible college in Colorado.

That left them wondering what to do with the building at 3595 Route 30 East, across from Lazor Furniture, the third facility housing the fitness business they had run for about 12 years.

They didn’t wonder for long, after two former clients suggested converting the space into pickleball courts.

“They said pickleball is growing, and it’s a great opportunity to use the space,” Charles Pienaar said. “So we said, ‘Let’s go for it. What else are we going to do with it?’ ”

It didn’t take much effort or expense to make the conversion. They removed an interior wall, painted lines on the floor to mark off four courts and set up nets to separate them.

Latrobe Pickleball opened in December. It is managed by Stephanie Pienaar’s father, Dennis Dorazio.

Pienaar and his wife are living in Colorado Springs while attending nearby Charis Bible College, with the goal of entering pastoral ministry.

He has introduced a pickleball unit for students at a local Christian school, where he teaches physical education. He also started weekly pickup games for the faculty.

“It’s going pretty well,” Dorazio said. “We have lots of regulars, and there’s always somebody playing when we’re open.”

If things get much busier, he’s going to have to hire some help, he added.

Related

• Inside the pickleball boom: Here's what you should know about the fast-growing sport
• Lawrenceville grandmother unwittingly plays pickleball with Steelers T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Minkah Fitzpatrick
• Pickleball gaining popularity in Western Pennsylvania

Pickleball combines elements of tennis, badminton and pingpong, with players using a paddle to volley a plastic ball similar to a Wiffle ball across a net. It can be played either indoors or outdoors as a singles or doubles game.

The sport was invented in 1965 by a group of friends on Bainbridge Island, Wash. Its popularity has grown exponentially in recent years, with the Sports & Fitness Industry Association saying it was the fastest-growing sport in America for the second consecutive year in 2022.

Latrobe Pickleball joins a number of other options across the area. Pickleball is available at YMCA facilities in Greensburg, Ligonier and Mt. Pleasant and at Murrysville Sports Zone. Outdoor courts are available in Blairsville and at Legion Keener Park in Latrobe.

Beginner-friendly

“It’s a beginner-friendly sport, but you can make it as athletic and competitive as you want,” said Bob Slezak of Derry Township.

He partners with his mother, Susan Slezak, also of Derry Township, for matches at Latrobe Pickleball with their friends, Lou Bruzda and Marissa Falcone, both of Blairsville.

“As opposed to tennis, it’s quicker and easier to learn, and you don’t have to worry so much about your serve,” Bruzda said.

Having access to an indoor court is important to Bruzda.

“The big issue is, where do we play in the winter?” he said. “Also, many courts only have daytime hours when I’m at work, so I can’t play.”

Pienaar said he hopes indoor play will appeal to enthusiasts, no matter the weather.

“Indoors is nice, because it’s climate-controlled, and you’re good to go all year,” he said. “Outdoors, you depend on the weather. In the wind or rain and snow, you can’t play. Indoors, it’s always clean — there’s no debris blowing on the court.”

Pienaar said he only became familiar with pickleball when he started investigating it as a business venture.

“I hadn’t played it beforehand, and I didn’t know much about it at all,” he said. “Once I started playing and learning more about it, and being exposed to the pickleball community, it’s really cool.

“It’s one of fastest-growing sports in the country, and I can see why. It’s low impact, but it’s good for longevity, skills and fitness.”

The monetary investment for players is minimal, Dorazio said. Basic athletic clothing and shoes are all that is needed, along with a paddle and balls.

“Some people pay hundreds of dollars for a paddle, but you don’t need to,” he said. “It’s a Wiffle ball for goodness’ sake.”

The exercise is good, but there’s an even better benefit, Dorazio said.

“The biggest part of it is the social aspect,” he said. “People come in and get to know each other. It’s a whole social community.”

To reserve playing time at Latrobe Pickleball, Pienaar recommends that people first register for a free membership on the website at latrobepickleball.com. Walk-ins are welcome as space is available.

Hours are 8 to 11 a.m. and 5 to 8 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays; 5 to 7 p.m. Thursdays; and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays. The hourly fee is $25 for up to four players.