LevelUp Pickleball Club Opens in Pittsburgh

Levelup Pickleball Club

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

In the south suburbs of Pittsburgh, where football has normally dominated the sports landscape, pickleball has surged in popularity. Where there were once just about 200 avid pickleballers (eight years ago), that number is now closer to 10,000—and even higher if you add casual players.

For Wayne and Lisa Dollard, husband and wife and former collegiate tennis players, their interest in pickleball grew steadily and eventually led them to a life within the sport. “We got into pickleball back in 2015 before it was really a ‘thing,’ and started Pickleball Magazine, which is now in its 10th year,” says Wayne.

Their newest foray into the game, which continues to grow at an unparalleled rate, is the LevelUp Pickleball Club in the Cecil/Canonsburg area, southwest of Pittsburgh. “We chose Cecil because of its ideal location, supportive local government, and proximity to our home. We live just six minutes away, and Cecil showed strong interest in our project from day one.”

LevelUp Pickleball Club features 16 indoor courts along with Category 1 lighting (1,100 lumens/broadcast quality) and features a seven-layer US Open cushioned surface.

“Pickleball puts a lot of strain on knees, ankles and feet. Many clubs choose asphalt over concrete because it’s easier on the joints,” Dollard explains. “At LevelUp, we went a step further by installing a seven-layer rubber cushion over the asphalt to significantly reduce fatigue. Because the system is so expensive, fewer than 1 percent of courts nationwide offer this level of cushioning. We wanted the best for our members, so we made the investment.”

The Dollards are also heavily invested in comfort and relaxation off the court with a full bar and restaurant, a viewing deck for easy and clear sightlines of many of the courts, and for those who like to imbibe, a speakeasy. There’s even a ballroom for weddings and corporate events.

The club includes an expansive Pro Shop as well, with a full inventory of paddles, balls and apparel.

“We incorporated ideas from the best clubs around the country and added our own wish list of amenities, including a golf simulator, showers and lockers.”

Over the years, the Dollards found an inherent need for proper pickleball instruction, leading to the development of LevelUp Pickleball Camps all across the country.

“We noticed there was a major instructional void and began meeting pros who were trying to make pickleball their full-time career. We hired several up-and-coming players, including Tyson McGuffin, Riley Newman, Dekel Bar, Catherine Parenteau, Lea Jansen, and many others. All five of those players eventually became national champions and touring pros.

“Everyone was teaching something different,” adds Dollard. “The system we developed at LevelUp has evolved over the years, and it remains the most effective major platform for helping players progress through the pickleball levels.” Through the camps, instruction is available at 280 locations per year in 43 states.

Investing in the future of pickleball is a natural progression for the Dollards, who recently hosted the DUPR Collegiate Super Regionals and this year hope to oversee major city and state championship events. •