Kevin J Berk and Brett Warner, the founders of PURE Pickleball & Padel, are set to create the world’s largest indoor pickleball facility in Arizona. In an interview with ABC15, they shared their excitement about the ambitious project.
“Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the U.S., with one in five Americans participating last year. Scottsdale, Arizona, is the hottest spot for this sport, so it makes perfect sense to build the largest indoor facility here. Our plans include hosting national-level tournaments and showcasing the sport for everyone—from beginners to pros. We’ll also be the home of the AZ Drive Pro Team for Major League Pickleball,” said Warner.
The founders envision the facility as a country club-style destination for pickleball enthusiasts in the Valley.
“We’ll offer all the amenities you’d expect from a country club, including retail shops, a restaurant, and a bar. There will also be fitness and recovery equipment, locker rooms with Jacuzzis, red light therapy, saunas, and cold plunge options. We’re even incorporating childcare and a youth study room, so parents can drop off their kids after school, enjoy a meal, and work on homework,” said Berk. He also mentioned plans for special event spaces, including a VIP access-only room on the second floor and a rooftop bar that can accommodate around 400 people, featuring stunning views of the McDowell Mountains to the east and Camelback Mountain to the west.
So, where will this expansive facility be located?
“We’re situated right off the Loop 101 and Via de Ventura, essentially between the aquarium and Topgolf, in a large sports and entertainment district,” Berk explained.
The facility will feature 48 pickleball courts, along with two dedicated padel courts.
“Padel is the fastest-growing sport globally. It’s a racket sport played on a court about the size of a pickleball court, making it a perfect fit for our facility,” Warner noted, emphasizing that adding these courts highlights another rapidly growing sport on the international stage.
“They’re all individually fenced and feature a cushioned underlayment topped with an acrylic surface, which you won’t feel but provides joint support, allowing for longer play and quicker recovery. Each court will have broadcast-level indirect lighting, along with cameras to record matches and analyze gameplay. During large events and tournaments, we can connect all the courts, enabling fans to follow their favorite players no matter which court they’re on. This level of accessibility is unprecedented—it’s never been done before. The player experience will truly be at the center of everything,” Berk explained.
This ambitious project aims to be the largest indoor pickleball facility not just in Arizona, but in the world.
“It will be the largest indoor pickleball facility globally. No one has built a facility of this scale before, but our focus isn’t solely on the title. What truly matters is why it’s the largest—it’s a membership-based, program-driven facility,” Berk explained. “We’ll offer after-school classes, a Youth Academy, and members will have access to eight open play and challenge courts for drop-in play. We can accommodate all of this simultaneously at a scale unmatched by any other indoor facility in the world, and that’s what makes it special.”
“I’d add that what’s exciting about PURE and the location we’ve chosen is our ability to host national-level events. Our indoor facility with 48 courts can be expanded to 60 by adding 12 temporary outdoor courts, along with a temporary stadium that can seat 5,000,” Warner said.
Berk and Warner announced that PURE Pickleball & Padel is expected to break ground in 2025, with plans to open in 2026.
