$2 Million Donation To Help Inflate Ron Saslow Pickleball Dome

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — An upgraded indoor sports facility is scheduled to open in Highland Park by next winter, according to park district officials.

The new inflatable structure at 2205 Skokie Valley Road will replace an existing air-supported dome, first installed in 2009 and now due for replacement.

The land is owned by the city but managed by the Park District of Highland Park as part of a 99-year lease, while the existing dome is owned by a private party and rented out through a concession and site agreement that expired last month.

Last fall, park district commissioners issued a request for proposals and received three responses, including an offer of a multimillion-dollar donation from a Highland Park resident who runs a private equity firm and pickleball franchise.

Ron Saslow, founder of Thirty-5 Capital, last year formed the Chicago Slice, a Major League Pickleball team he co-owns with Chicago Cubs owner and fellow North Shore resident Tom Ricketts, supermodel Heidi Klum and others.

Saslow proposed a restricted donation agreement to pay for a portion of the "Ron Saslow Pickleball Dome," according to park district materials.

Although Saslow was given the option of including his name in the title of the structure, he told Patch it was important when making the donation that it was not named after him.

"I'm not nearly that narcissistic that I would put my name on something," Saslow said.

Originally, he planned to purchase the site and run it as his business for a while before transferring it back to the city. That plan ended up not working out, and the idea for a donation to the park district was floated and a desirable location was identified.

"Instead of saying I'm going to build the place, I'm going to make a $2 million donation toward the place," he said. "But you guys are responsible for getting the rest of the money and you guys are responsible for building and running it."

The new inflatable dome is estimated to cost a total of $4.2 million, with Saslow kicking in $2 million and some of the remainder of the money to be contributed by the nonprofit foundation that supports park district projects.

With substantial upgrades and improvements over the current structure, the new dome is due to be about 66 feet tall, include about 52,000 square feet of space and feature advanced heating and air conditioning systems to allow for year-round operations.

It will include 10 courts for pickleball and four for padel, both of which are among the fastest-growing sports in the world. The Ron Saslow Pickleball Dome, as it is described in park district meeting materials, is also due to include a café, pro shop and accessible restrooms. Its final name has yet to be determined by park district officials.

"We consistently hear from our community members about the need for indoor pickleball courts," said Park District of Highland Park Executive Director Brian Romes. "With this new facility, we're responding to that demand and enhancing our recreational landscape."

The donation agreement with Saslow was finalized in December, and city plan commissioners approved site plans in March.

Up to $1 million of the cost will come out of the park district's own funds, and the city budget will cover up to $500,000 to build new sewer and water facilities there.

"For the remaining amount [up to about $700,000], the Parks Foundation and Park District are seeking donations and sponsors," Park District Communication Director Liz Gogola told Patch.

Park district staff said they are working to relocate sports programs that still use the existing dome.

"Converting the old structure into a vibrant, year-round facility aligns with our goals for the site, and expands our recreational offerings in the community," Recreation Director Nick Baird said.

Other than the pickleball dome, park district officials also received a pair of golf-related proposals, according to park district minutes.

One, from Golf Development Strategies and The Golf Practice, suggested operating the dome as it is in the short term, reimagine the driving range, reconfiguring the putting green and short game area and expanding the food and beverage area in exchange for $120,000 a year and the assumption of all expenses and operational costs.

Another, from The Golf Practice Partnership and The Highland Park Golf Learning Center, proposed a $20,000 annual payment with exclusive use of hitting bays and a revenue share agreement for golf programming.

Park district plans call for the purchase of the dome in the coming weeks, the removal of the old dome by the end of June and the completion of the installation of the new one by the end of the year.