Game Changers Pickleball & More Nears Opening Date

CHANNAHON, IL — The Game Changers Pickleball & More is nearing its grand opening in Channahon along U.S. Route 6 — two years after the project was approved by the city of Joliet.

According to its Facebook page, Game Changers anticipates being open Jan. 10 at the former Skateland Recreation Center that was operated by the Channahon Park District for several decades.

The indoor roller skating rink, at 25334 Eames St., was shut down during the 2020 worldwide pandemic, and the Channahon Park District property sold the property last February.

According to its website, Game Changers will feature:

• State-of-the-Art Fitness Center
• Restaurant & Bar
• Video Poker & Slots
• Outdoor Beer Garden, Bocce Ball, Pickleball and more, coming in the spring of 2022
• No Membership Required to use Game Changers

In January 2020, the Joliet City Council approved a liquor license for Game Changers to be built near Route 6 inside the City's Edge Business Park on a cul-de-sac off McClintock Road.

By 2021, Kenneth Minor Sr. and Keith Minor decided to scrap their construction project planned for Joliet. Instead, they acquired the former Skateland property in Channahon, which is next to the Channahon Lanes & Mini Golf.

During the past year, the Minors have been remodeling Channahon's former indoor skating rink, and now they're just a matter of days away from being open.

Pickleball is a combination of regular tennis, table tennis and badminton, and it's been growing in popularity in recent years.

"We are scheduled to open January 10th, 2022, and you can pre-purchase your membership if you would like to secure your charter status," the Game Changers Facebook page proclaims. "Thank you to all who have been waiting patiently for our opening ... we feel confident that it will be worth the wait!"

To learn more, visit the website for Game Changers.