Picklr opens pickleball courts in Goleta

GOLETA, Calif. (KEYT) Pickleball players on the south coast have a new, dedicated place to play.

Picklr held its grand opening at the Fairview shopping center in Goleta.

Owner Ted Guggenheim welcomed people to play.

"We're at the Picklr Santa Barbara, which is the new indoor pickleball club in Goleta, actually, at the north Fairview shopping center. This is the first time that Santa Barbara has had access to indoor pickleball. and it really is an amazing way to find reliable, and excellent quality pickleball in the community," said Guggenheim," It's great to be able to offer something that everybody can enjoy. It really doesn't matter what level you are, you can be a beginner and we will have a program for you. We have free classes for beginners, we really want to get new people started, and we have youth programs where the younger kids will be able to come in and learn how to learn, how to become better players and maybe be on the path to pro."

He said the demand for courts is growing.

"There's a lot of demand for pickleball in Santa Barbara County. we want the picklr to be a platform for all types of uses. So we want businesses to come here and do special events. We want kids to come in and do youth programs. We have summer camps for kids coming up. We really want people of businesses in the community to utilize this facility in as many ways as possible. the goal is not to be a great place to play, but to be a great place to be. We want people to hang out here and spend time with their friends," said Guggenheim.

Player Chris Devaux described it as first class.

Grace-Ann Graumann called it a place to play on rainy days.

Megann Cotich saids she plan to expand her circle of pickleball friends.

"It's just a great addition to our community. I feel like there's so many pickleball players, we tend to play with our own friends, but this is a good opportunity to branch out and meet new people and and see who else is playing the game," said Cotich.

The Picklr is open seven days a week.