SCOTTSDALE – Pickleball is about to make an even bigger splash in the Valley, with plans for a massive new facility spanning over 180,000 square feet.
Set to break ground in 2025, PURE Pickleball & Padel in Scottsdale is designed to elevate the sport’s presence. Featuring 50 advanced courts and premium amenities, this facility is set to attract pickleball players from across Arizona and beyond.
This significant development aims to capitalize on the sport’s nationwide surge in popularity. Recent data from the Association of Pickleball Players shows that nearly 19% of U.S. adults—over 800,000 people—played pickleball last year, with the majority (70%) aged between 18 and 44.
In addition to the courts, the facility will serve as the headquarters for USA Pickleball, the sport’s national governing body.
According to a 2023 report by the Trust for Public Land, a non-profit organization advocating for parks, the Phoenix area ranked 56th in terms of public pickleball courts available per capita. In contrast, private pickleball facilities are thriving and can be found across the Valley.
Scottsdale, known for its vibrant community that includes families and Arizona State University students, is well-positioned to meet the needs of the growing pickleball community in the state. For enthusiasts like KC Whitaker, a Scottsdale resident and dedicated player, pickleball represents more than just a sport—it’s a way of life.
“I was a basketball player,” Whitaker said. “(COVID-19) kind of killed that. My best friend (and I), we turned the basketball court into a pickleball court, and I started playing ever since.”
Driven by their love for the sport, the co-founders of PURE Pickleball & Padel are addressing the increasing demand caused by overcrowded courts and extended wait times in the state. Kevin J. Berk and Brett Warner, in collaboration with Caliber Co., a private equity real estate firm, are creating a one-of-a-kind facility set to debut in 2026.
Family Inspiration
Berk’s passion for pickleball originated with his family and ultimately inspired the creation of PURE Pickleball & Padel. The journey began when his mother invited him and his brother to join her and her friends for a game of pickleball.
Despite losing the match by a wide margin, Berk and his brother left determined to master the sport. From that moment, they committed to learning and improving their pickleball skills. Today, Berk plays more than ever and continues to enjoy the game with his family.
With Caliber on board as a partner, Berk and Warner began laying out their plans. Choosing a site was the next priority, and the area near Loop 101 North, positioned between Topgolf Scottsdale and OdySea Aquarium, was an obvious choice.
“Scottsdale, Arizona, has got the best player community for the whole sport (compared to) anywhere else in the country,” Warner said. “This is where you’ve got players all year long, 100-plus degree heat, they’re here at sunrise, they’re here after sunset. If something like this doesn’t work in Scottsdale, it’s not going to work anywhere.”
“Scottsdale, Arizona, has got the best player community for the whole sport (compared to) anywhere else in the country,” Warner said. “This is where you’ve got players all year long, 100-plus degree heat, they’re here at sunrise, they’re here after sunset. If something like this doesn’t work in Scottsdale, it’s not going to work anywhere.”
Added Berk, “You could not put a pin on a map in a better location than right here. Right off the 101. We are 15 minutes from the airport. We are 20 minutes from 3.3 million residents in Phoenix Metro.”
In a city driven by sports entertainment and tourism, especially during the high-energy WM Phoenix Open each February, PURE introduces a new venue to enhance the thriving sports scene.
“If we can pull off something similar to (the WM Phoenix Open) for the sport of pickleball where it’s sports, entertainment and it’s participation, this is just the perfect time, perfect sport, perfect location,” Warner said.
A New Standard
This ambitious project represents an unprecedented investment in pickleball, particularly in Arizona, where limited access and long wait times often leave players eager for court availability.
“It’s funny, when I first started playing, you could just walk out and get a court,” Whitaker said. “It really wasn’t a problem, and now, especially in season, I mean, there’s a good amount of wait that comes along with that. So, any new facilities or anything like that opening up is going to be a real benefit to everybody because there’s more courts to play on.”
PURE Pickleball & Padel has been thoughtfully designed to include ample space for players like Whitaker. The facility boasts 48 pickleball courts and two padel courts, capable of hosting various events and accommodating up to 200 players simultaneously when all courts are in use.
Beyond the courts, the facility offers a range of activities, including after-school programs, campus clinics, and sports clubs. Berk and Warner are committed to creating an inclusive environment that caters to players of all skill levels. Memberships will be available, featuring exclusive member-only courts, as well as opportunities for personalized lessons.
The vision for PURE extends beyond the indoor facilities. Plans include transforming the parking lot into a multi-use court system, featuring 12 additional courts, a championship court with a 5,000-person capacity, and a grandstand that seats 1,200 spectators.
“The vision for PURE is to find a way to connect the whole community around pickleball and to be able to bring people in who have never played. So, all ages, all skill levels,” Warner said.
Engaging Future Generations
Recognizing the limited access to public courts, the co-founders identified a crucial gap in pickleball training opportunities in Scottsdale. Their goal is to attract a new generation of players and foster the sport’s growth.
PURE Pickleball & Padel is committed to reaching aspiring players while preserving the sport’s legacy by offering essential junior programs.
“This sport was invented by three families to play over the course of a summer with multiple generations; kids, parents, grandparents,” Warner said. “But this is a sport when kids have a chance to play, they’re going to think it was invented for them – in many ways it was – and I feel like as the sport gets younger, it’s just one where everybody brings that next level of energy to the game.”
The co-founders aim to attract younger players by collaborating with local schools for field trips, but their efforts go beyond that. The facility will also provide childcare and after-school programs, including homework help and tutoring, to support parents and keep kids engaged. Additionally, adults will have access to various event spaces for business or community gatherings, along with a rooftop bar.
Brent Weston, who began playing pickleball two years ago, has witnessed significant growth in the sport across all age groups. He enjoys playing with people of all ages and has built meaningful connections through the game.
“So some of my best friends are 65 and retired now at this point in life, and I’m only 40,” Weston said. “So at that point, you kind of see a whole new crop of athletes come out and enjoy the game. It’s a great sport for them.”
Pickleball not only allows players to enjoy the game with their friends but also offers a fantastic opportunity to meet new people. Berk and Warner quickly recognized this, emphasizing that the amenities at PURE Pickleball & Padel are just as crucial as the courts themselves.
By keeping players engaged and providing a space for them to connect, the facility aims to foster new friendships and enhance the sense of community in Scottsdale.
“Start playing pickleball now,” Warner said. “This is one where you’re going to be able to play every day. You’re going to be able to play and meet new friends. You’re going to be able to play with your business partners. Start playing now.”
The idea of a friendly environment and meeting people who share the same passion and competitive nature for the sport are qualities that keep players like Weston and Whitaker playing pickleball, and a new facility like PURE will only increase those opportunities.
“Definitely the social aspect of it,” Weston said when asked what he enjoys most about the sport. “I’ve been (in Scottsdale) for three weeks now, this is my last week, but I’ve met lifelong friends within that timeframe.”
Added Whitaker, “(The people are) very friendly. That was one thing I really liked about it. You can just show up at a court like (Cholla Park) and start playing.
“You get welcomed in very easily by the community, and you start playing. You meet new friends. I have a ton of new friends ever since I’ve been playing pickleball, yet I can compete. It’s a sport, so I can compete.”
Ready for 2026
Creating an environment for safe and enjoyable competition can be challenging at public facilities due to weather conditions, particularly in Arizona’s harsh desert climate. However, with a vast indoor space, Berk and Warner, in partnership with Caliber, are committed to designing courts that offer a safe, tournament-quality experience for all athletes.
Each court will feature a cushioned surface beneath the playing area to reduce injury risks, high-quality lighting to eliminate shadows, cameras to capture match footage, and designated spectator areas. The facility will also focus on promoting healthy eating, in addition to providing joint and bone protection.
“Everything is going to uniform, and it’s going to be built with the player experience at the center of the universe,” Berk said.
Weston intends to return to Scottsdale for the opening of PURE Pickleball & Padel, while Whitaker looks forward to being one of the first players on the courts when they open. Their excitement is easy to understand.
With its wide range of amenities, innovative design, and strong emphasis on community, PURE Pickleball & Padel is set to transform the way pickleball is played and experienced, marking an exciting new chapter in the sport’s expansion in the Valley.
“You just need to show up, bring a paddle, and you’ll make a ton of friends,” Warner said with a smile. “We can’t wait to welcome you in 2026.”
