Pickleball has absolutely exploded across the Bay Area, and now San Jose is getting its own dedicated venue to match the hype. Ace Pickleball Club is opening an 11-court facility at 5502 Monterey Road in south San Jose, taking over a long-vacant space that used to house a Walmart department store and supermarket. The 31,000-square-foot complex is set to open sometime between July and September, and honestly, it’s a pretty cool example of how old retail spaces can get a second life.

The person bringing this to San Jose is Bobby Singh, a Bay Area resident who got hooked on pickleball just three years ago after a casual pickup game at a local court. He quickly realized what a lot of players already know: public courts get packed, they’re not always maintained well, and finding people to play with can be a hassle. So instead of complaining about it, he decided to do something about it.

“Pickleball is one of those rare sports where you can show up not knowing anyone and leave feeling like part of a community”, Singh said. That’s kind of the whole vibe behind Ace Pickleball Club’s model. It’s not about complicated scheduling or hidden fees. Members get unlimited open play, access to clinics, tournaments, and social events all included in a monthly membership. You can literally just show up whenever you want and play, no coordination required.

As a sweetener, the club is offering the first month free for new members when it launches. That’s a pretty solid deal if you’ve been curious about pickleball but haven’t committed yet.

What makes this spot special is that they’re not just throwing rackets at people and calling it a day. The facility is designed to welcome everyone from total beginners to serious competitors. New players can learn the actual rules (there’s more to it than you might think), while experienced players have access to quality courts and equipment. Members can also test out different paddle brands to figure out what works for their game, which is clutch because paddle selection actually matters.

Beyond just the sport itself, the venue is expected to create about 30 jobs in the San Jose community. In an area where employment opportunities matter just as much as recreational ones, that’s a meaningful addition.

Singh’s partnership with local partners to bring this Ace Pickleball Club franchise to San Jose shows how community-driven entrepreneurship can fill real gaps in what people want. The overcrowded public courts and the lack of dedicated, well-maintained spaces clearly created demand for something like this. Now players in south San Jose will have a place where they can show up, be part of something, and get better at a sport they love, all without the usual logistical nightmare that comes with trying to coordinate pickup games.