According to a recent article from Block Club Chicago, Social Pickleball Fun will soon open in the Sheffield Neighbors area, located at 2121 N Clybourn Ave.
“Our current plan is to officially open Phase 1 by mid-January, so Chicagoans can escape the cold and have access to our 8 pickleball courts, coffee bar, turf games, and programming this winter,” co-founder Rich Green told What Now Chicago.
“Alongside our lifelong friends and racquet enthusiasts, we saw an opportunity to bring something special to the Lincoln Park neighborhood, where I live with my wife, Lisa. The facility, with its locker rooms, ample parking, and high ceilings made perfect sense for a pickleball club.”
“SPF stands for Social. Pickleball. Fun. – Those are the 3 main pillars of our concept. It’s also a nod to something someone said to Lisa once “Chicago’s a beach town, it just doesn’t get to be one all year round.” So we set out to create an experience that gives Chicago those beach vibes all year round,” he added.
Bringing new food options to the neighborhood, SPF has partnered with a variety of Chicago-favorite chefs and restauranteurs, including Honey Butter Fried Chicken founders, Josh Kulp and Christine Cikowski, along with former Galit chef de cuisine, Tom Carlin.
In addition, SPF’s coffee bar will feature Kikwetu Coffee, a family-owned Chicago-based coffee brand born in Kenya. SPF’s first phase will include a full-service coffee bar complete with all-day café items, a press release from SPF stated.
Social Pickleball Fun will span 40,000 square feet with the goal of pursuit of fitness, camaraderie, and tasty treats.
“When designing SPF, we set out to create an experience that is very uniquely Chicago, while giving guests a space to stay active and engaged with friends and family throughout the year,” said Richard Green in the press release. “We can’t wait to open our doors to this incredible community and offer a new way for sports and recreation enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels to stay active, have fun, and relax, all under one roof.”
SPF has set the stage with eight dedicated indoor pickleball courts, equipped with instant replay technology. Whether perfecting your slice, mastering the art of the smash, or working on your serves, SPF aims to provide the perfect arena to hone your skills. There will also be an indoor turf field that offers a flexible space for games, events, and gatherings, according to the company website.
