New pickleball club to open in Bloomfield Township

BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP — Pickleball players will soon have a new place to volley, dink, and rally in Bloomfield Township.

Pickleball has been named America’s fastest growing sport, with nearly 50 million players and a projected 4.4 billion market size by 2033.

Ace Pickleball Club is helping to satisfy the demand for more courts by taking over flex and retail big box spaces across the country to provide indoor courts for year-round play. In 2024, the national pickleball franchise opened 11 new locations across the country in just its second year of operation. The company plans to open an additional 25-30 clubs in 2025.

Locally, the pickleball franchise plans to open its second facility in the state — in Bloomfield Township — this fall. Ace Pickleball Club’s first Michigan location is slated to open in Grand Rapids in April.

Real estate developer Matthew Sosin is bringing the latest pickleball franchise to the township, with plans to repurpose an existing building located at 2285 Franklin Road, off Hulett Drive.

“We’re really excited,” Sosin said.

“I would anticipate being open in September.”

The new 32,250-square-foot pickleball club will occupy the eastern portion of the building and will include 11 indoor courts, an 1,800 square foot mezzanine, as well as a snack and seating area.

Ace members can always find a fun, competitive game at the club thanks to open play, which developers say will always be available on courts for all skill levels.

“By designating courts for beginner, intermediate, and advanced players, APC’s clubs foster a more inclusive environment,” Conor Hawks, vice president of franchise growth at APC, said in a statement. “Members don’t need reservations or a set roster of friends to play. Instead, they drop in whenever it suits them, rotating into matches quickly and easily.”

The club will offer memberships — which include everything from unlimited open play and court reservations to social mixers, tournaments, clinics and more, at no extra cost. Each club location also offers a variety of programs and events for members and guests — including clinics, tournaments, social mixers, round robins, glow-in-the-dark nights and private events.

Nonalcoholic beverages, like water and Gatorade, and snacks, like energy bars, will be available for purchase inside the building. No alcohol will be served.

“We try to focus on pickleball — that’s it,” Sosin said of the food and beverage offerings. “If people have birthday parties or corporate events, they’ll bring in pizza or wings from an outside party.”

Bloomfield Township Deputy Director of Planning, Building and Ordnance Andrea Bibby presented the site plan and special land use permit to the Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees Feb. 24.

The property is zoned “Research Park,” and Bibby said recreational use is allowed. Sports facilities, she noted, are considered special land uses in the Research Park District and require approval from the Board of Trustees.

“There are other similar indoor park facilities that are located north of Square Lake Road off Franklin. We’ve got the Detroit Skate Club and we’ve got the Bloomfield Tennis, (so) this would just be another indoor sports facility in that location,” she explained.

The Board of Trustees unanimously approved the site plan and special land use permit for the club Feb. 24.

“It seems like it’s in a great location up in that research park area with other similar athletic-type functions, (so) it looks great to me,” Trustee Valerie Murray said.

“With pickleball there’s always a concern about the noise, but it’s all enclosed, so it looks good.”

Trustee Neal Barnett thanked Sosin for bringing the pickleball club to the township.

“I think it’s an outstanding use of the facilities and a great location. It’s certainly going to bring a lot more recreational opportunities to our residents and the surrounding communities,” he said.

“I think it will do very well.”

Ace Pickleball Club, 2285 Franklin Road in Bloomfield Township, will be open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

For more information, visit acepickleballclub.com or email bloomfieldmi@acepickleballclub.com.