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528 Chama, N.E., Albuquerque, NM 87108 http://www.cbass.com |
From The Desk Of Clarence Bass
By Clarence and Carol Bass
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Albuquerque's Coming Pickleball Palace
This photo was provided to the
Albuquerque Journal by the pickleball franchise based in Utah.
* * * If you haven't had time to read my earlier piece on pickleball, now would be a good time. It relates the history of pickleball and gives some tips on getting started without hurting yourself: https://cbass.com/pickleball2.htm
We drove around the building on the east side of Albuquerque to be turned into a pickleball club. It had been a huge furniture store, and will be transformed into a pickleball franchise over the next few months. We're eager to see the transformation.
The Albuquerque Journal gives the details: A ten year lease will bring New Mexico and Albuquerque's first franchise pickleball courts, providing roughly 54,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor pickleball space.
The club will feature 12 indoor courts, one outdoor skinny court, three outdoor courts, a ball machine, a pro shop, a private event area, along with lockers and showers.
The club will also offer league play, drop-in play, tournaments, court reservations and memberships.
Art Gardenswartz, the property's owner and a long time acquaintance of our family, tells the Journal he is really excited about the opening. "This just keeps people active, and promotes the health of the community."
He tells us that Premier Pickleball plans to open locations on the West Side of Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Las Cruces. It currently has 44 locations in the U.S. with plans for 80 by the end of the year, and has sold 500 franchise licenses globally set to open within five years.
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"It's a rising and evolving sport," says Premier Pickleball Chief Officer Marty Garcia; "my gym has taken the outdoor basketball court and painted Pickleball lines on it. This is all fascinating to me from a business standpoint, and makes me know that we have made a great choice."
My Take
While I don't plan to take up pickleball, I'm delighted to see something like pickleball getting people up and about. The UNM university alumni association offers pickleball clinics, and there are pickleball courts in the multigenerational centers in the city, but this club is the first of its kind locally.
I have long said the best exercise is something you enjoy. If your interest wanes, find something else to keep you up and about.
Move and keep moving. You'll add years to your life.
The older you get the more important movement becomes. Bill Pearl was going strong in his 90's until a unique accident took his life. Dave Draper was still training in his 70's before his death at 79.
Living in an area that invites exercise is good if you can manage it.
Laszlo took these photos in our neighborhood, which is near mountain trails that we have hiked many times.
June 1, 2025 Comment on this article: FEEDBACK Ripped Enterprises, P.O. Box 51236, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87181-1236 Home | Products Index | Ripped Bks | Lean Adv. Bks | Lean For Life | Recommended Bks | |Consultations | Tapes | To Order | Feedback] Copyright © 2025 Clarence and Carol Bass. All rights reserved. |
