Bergen's First Pickleball-Only Indoor Center Opening Soon

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — Ladies and gentlemen, start your paddles.

Bergen County will soon be opening its purported first indoor, pickleball-only courts, according to an announcement.

On May 1, Bergen Pickleball Zone, located within the NJ Sports Academy in Ramsey, will be home to four climate-controlled courts dedicated exclusively to the sport of pickleball, a release said.

Bergen Pickleball Zone, which will open the courts and a player/spectator lounge in May, will host beginners to experts, offering clinics, lessons, open play, junior programs and events, the release said.

Owners Cheryl and Dale Weingarten, who also own the sports complex in Ramsey, said their goal is to create a "community-friendly environment" where people of all ages and levels can play, and to offer a facility that meets every player's needs.

"Friends and family have been asking us to provide indoor pickleball courts," Dale Weingarten said.

"With the perfect space and location," he added, "we're duplicating the outdoor playing experience indoors using the same court surface with LED lighting to play regardless of weather or time of day."

Pickleball, a cross between pingpong, tennis and badminton, is often considered among the fastest-growing sports in the nation.

"An easy game to learn," a spokesperson for the new facility said, "pickleball is one of the only sports in which newcomers can actually play from day one."

The new venue, the spokesperson said, will include — in addition to courts and the lounge — a practice/warm-up area, a pro shop and more.

"Our goal is to be inclusive and provide a great venue for everyone,” said co-owner Dale Weingarten, also a former DI collegiate lacrosse player who continues to play on Master level lacrosse teams.

“Taking up our turf field and installing indoor courts enables us to focus on the entire pickleball community," he added.