Where to Play Indoor Pickleball in and Around Saratoga
From drop-in play at the Y to court reservations and leagues at high-end pickleball clubs. PLUS: Dorinda Medley returns to the Spa City, BOGO ski tickets and more.
Don’t tell my tennis friends, but this summer, I gave in. I started playing pickleball.
“Pickleball is Satan’s game—beware!” Saratogian and avid tennis player Dan Klein joked when I broke the news to him. “The noise, lack of movement, etc. is the antithesis of sport.”
Of course, the local tennis community is a little salty about the fact that pickleballers are taking over the court sport world. Last year, after a fire damaged Schenectady’s SportTime, a section of indoor tennis courts was transformed into five dedicated pickleball courts, and in 2020, three of East Side Rec’s six outdoor tennis courts were transformed into 10 pickleball courts. (If you’ve been near the Spa City park on any given summer night, you’ve surely seen—and heard—how popular the courts now are.) That’s not to mention the fact that pickleball lines have been painted on most tennis courts, and pickleballers have been known to lower tennis nets. One website recommends pickleball players “do this at night” to “avoid gnashing of teeth from the tennis mob.”
And of course, Dan has probably never actually played pickleball. “It’s easy to play, it’s so social and you can learn it at any age,” says True Pickleball owner Mike Bibbo, who grew up playing tennis at the now-closed Capitaland Racquet Club but has fully converted to pickleball. “People get hooked. They get addicted.”
Make no mistake, I still identify primarily as a tennis player, but I must admit—pickleball is fun to play. And not only that—pickleball players are fun to play with. “It’s much easier to find games than tennis, because for tennis you have to line a game up with someone,” says local pickleball enthusiast Booie Denio. “With pickleball, you just show up.”
It was actually by way of “just showing up” that I heard about Booie, who—get this—happens to be my literal nextdoor neighbor. On my quest to find the best places to play indoor pickleball in Saratoga County, I got talking to a Saratoga Spa State Park police officer named Frank between games at Gavin Park’s weekday morning drop-in pickleball program, where you can show up solo and play pick-up games. He told me about a larger-than-life local pickleballer, who, rumor has it, runs an underground pickleball league during the summer months. And oh, by the way, his name is Booie.
“Booie?!” I said. “He’s my neighbor.” (I knew this to be true because, honestly, how many people are named Booie?)
Two hours later, Booie, whom I hadn’t known was one of the Saratoga County pickleball community’s top dogs, was sitting at my dining room table sharing his wealth of pickleball knowledge regarding everything from Pickleball Galaxy, the massive equipment retailer that’s based in Clifton Park, to the USA Pickleball ratings of certain local players, the tea on who plays where, and the truth about his “underground league,” which is more accurately an “unofficial league,” since he doesn’t reserve court time for it. “As far as I’m concerned,” he told me, “way too many people take pickleball way too seriously. I do it so that I can eat more cookies.”
Thanks to Booie’s expertise and some on-the-court research of my own, I’ve compiled a list of places to play indoor pickleball in Saratoga County and beyond. (The “beyond” are two pickleball-specific clubs that opened in the Capital Region in October because, as any real pickleballer will tell you, it’s worth the drive to play on a true pickleball surface instead of a gym floor.) Here’s the 411:
Legacy Pickleball Club
Ballston Spa
The timing of this story is strategic. Later this month (January 22), Saratoga County’s very first pickleball club will celebrate its opening in a former warehouse off Route 50 between Ballston Spa and Burnt Hills. Legacy Pickleball Club is the brainchild of Michael Xirinachs, and the first of five the Long Island transplant plans to open across New York State and Massachusetts. Legacy will boast eight indoor courts (made of seven layers of material including rubber that’s easy on the knees), LED diffused indirect lights (that are bright yet easy on the eyes), and several membership options (some of which are easier on the checkbook than others). Once open, Legacy will offer all sorts of options for play, from one-time reservations and open play to clinics and tournaments for members and nonmembers alike, as well as a pro shop and lounge serving beer, wine and seltzer.
What Sets it Apart: This spring, construction will begin on 15-20 outdoor courts, about half of which will be covered with some sort of dome to protect them from the elements.
True Pickleball Club
Latham
While Legacy Pickleball has taken over an abandoned warehouse, Latham’s True Pickleball took up residence in a former KMart this past October. (It’s in the same building as Vent Fitness, Hudson Boulders and Scarlet Knife.) Owner Mike Bibbo, a former tennis player (my tennis friends would say he “crossed over to the dark side”), told me he was very particular about leaving enough room around each of the six courts; there’s even a championship court with more space in a separate room. True Pickleball has a limited number of founders memberships that come with perks such as 14-day advanced booking and discounted court fees, but lessons, open play and regular court bookings are available for everyone.
What Sets it Apart: Each court has a private cabana (seen above) in which you can order protein drinks or buckets of beer during your court time. There are also overhead doors at the front of the building that can be opened when the weather is nice.
Xtreme Pickle
Amsterdam
It was only by a couple of weeks, but Amsterdam’s Xtreme Pickle beat True Pickleball in the race to be the first club to open last fall. Since the minute it opened, co-owner Mike Barker says, it’s been a full house. (Yes, apparently you need to be named Mike to open a pickleball club in the Capital Region.) The space boasts four courts and the same outdoor surface as Legacy and True; players often prefer that surface to a traditional indoor gym floor, which gives off a glare from the lights and makes the ball bounce differently. (Gym floors also often have many different lines on them, making it difficult to tell which ones are for pickleball.) Xtreme Pickle also offers open play, court reservations, leagues and lessons, but unlike the other two clubs in the area, doesn’t charge members for open play or court reservations—they just pay a flat rate of $79 per month.
What Sets it Apart: There’s a parking garage with an elevator that brings you right into the building—no braving the impending winter weather required.
Saratoga Springs YMCA
I’ve been watching the pickleballers from the second floor of the Saratoga Y for months now, and finally joined their ranks this past Wednesday. Drop-in pickleball is on weekdays from 10:30am-12:30pm for beginner players, and 12:30-2:30pm for advanced players. (On Tuesdays, open pickleball is from 11am-2pm for players of all levels.) When there are people waiting to play on the three courts in the gym, there’s a queue system for who’s up next that involves two bins and a binder clip. If you’ve never been before, someone will certainly explain it to you, but if you’re at the advanced session, be prepared for them to question whether you belong there. The Wilton Y also offers pickleball—check the Saratoga Regional YMCA schedule for info.
What Sets it Apart: Drop-in play is free for Y members.
Saratoga Springs Recreation Center
According to Booie, some of the best players in the area can be found playing at the Saratoga Rec Center, which runs the uber-popular East Side Rec league in the summer. (Booie can’t even get into that league, since it opens to Saratoga residents first and, alas, we live in Milton. “They open it to city residents at, like, 7am,” he says, “and at 7:05 it’s full.”) In the winter, drop-in play at the Rec Center is from 9-11am on weekdays and some Sundays from 2:45-4:30pm, and costs $4 for city residents and $5 for everyone else. (You’ll need a free Drop In Rec Card to play.) The Rec Center also hosts two weekly leagues—one for beginner and low-intermediate players and one for high-intermediate and advanced players—as well as workshops put on by instructor Peter Borajczuk.
What Sets It Apart: The giant gym has room for nine pickleball courts, so you’re less likely to have to wait to play. During school vacation weeks though, pickleballer Linda tells me, it’s a mad house, and players utilize the same bin system I saw at the Y.
Gavin Park
As someone who doesn’t venture too far from Saratoga for recreational purposes, I had no idea that Gavin Park even had an indoor gymnasium, let alone two. The Wilton town park runs drop-in pickleball on weekday mornings from 9-11:30am, and separates players by ability between two gyms with three courts each. It costs the same for both levels: $3 for Wilton residents and $5 for nonresidents. Between the two gyms, which both utilize the bin method, there were more than 50 players there yesterday, and as I entered the advanced gym, I was immediately greeted by Lucinda Tetz, who was wondering if I’d write this story about her specifically. She’s single, she wants you to know.
What Sets it Apart: Booie told me that the players at the Rec Center all know each other, but the players at Gavin Park really seemed like a tight-knit community—tight-knit enough for Lucinda to call Julie Carrow a b**** (in a loving way, of course).
Elsewhere
If you’re still reading—I can’t believe I’m still writing—you have several other options for playing pickleball in Saratoga County that I didn’t visit. (I’m sorry, I’m just one person.)
Impact Athletic Center — Halfmoon
Malta Community Center — Malta
Stillwater Area Community Center — Stillwater
McGregor Links Country Club — Wilton
Hockey Hut Training Center — Clifton Park
Capital District YMCA’s Southern Saratoga Branch — Clifton Park
You can also join the Pickleball of the Capital District Facebook group or check the Places 2 Play website or app, which offers a map of where to play pickleball, wherever you are; both Booie and Frank told me they don’t travel without their paddle. No matter where they are, they can always find somewhere to play.
—Natalie
Quote of the Week
“I’m going to push you into next week!”
“Push me into Saturday, please.”
—Overheard at Stevens Elementary School in Burnt Hills
Hostess With the Mostest
Former Real Housewife of New York City and Saratoga super-fan Dorinda Medley is coming back to town! The reality TV star, who came to the Spa City several times following her appearance on the cover of Saratoga Living in 2019, will return to Saratoga as a special guest at Hattie’s Mardi Gras, which will be held at the Saratoga City Center on January 27. “Hattie’s Mardi Gras is one of the biggest parties of the year,” said Business for Good’s Ed Mitzen, who will be hosting the event with his wife and BFG co-founder, Lisa. “And with Dorinda in the house, we know it will be a night to remember.” Get your tickets here.
Head to the Polls
Tomorrow is the last day to vote online for your favorite local businesses in Capital Region Living’s Bestie Awards! Yes, it’s a region-wide survey, but there are plenty of opportunities for Saratoga businesses to win big. Cast your vote here, and be sure to keep an eye out for the results, which will be published in the spring and summer issues of CRL.
Hot Diggity Dog
On Wednesday, the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame will unveil Hot Dog! The Harry M. Stevens Concession Experience, a new exhibit focusing on Harry M. Stevens’ concessions at racetracks in the first half of the 20th century. “This exhibition brings one of the most central racetrack experiences—the food and drink—to the Museum in a new and engaging way,” said curator Jessica Cloer. “As you look at the photographs, you can almost hear the food vendors calling out as a crowd gathers for the races.”
Ski Free
So far, this winter has been a bit of a dud for skiers (maybe that’ll change after tonight’s storm!). But that doesn’t mean that there’s not manmade snow to shred at the local ski areas, and thanks to a partnership with Stewart’s Shops, West Mountain is now offering a Bring a Friend Fridays promo for two-for-one lift tickets. Visit a participating Stewart’s location to pick yours up.
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