Pickleball Complex Opens In North Kingstown

NORTH KINGSTOWN, RI — Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in the United States, and now North Kingstown has a dedicated facility for its growth to continue in Rhode Island.

High school friends and business partners Richard Storti and Kevin O’Brien began playing pickleball as they got older and fell in love with the sport.

"He (O'Brien) played it more than I did because he's a former tennis player, Storti said. "It's a natural transition on your body as you get a little older. We thought about this as a business model. Together we collaborated to get it done."

Both Storti and O'Brien said they share a vision to continue fostering pickleball's growth. They opened Lil' Rhody Pickleball last month, a sports complex designed specifically for pickleball and nothing else.

"It’s amazing to see, in just a few weeks the community that has developed," O'Brien said. "I was shocked today after realizing that almost 1,000 people have passed through the doors in just under four weeks."

The club features five full-sized indoor "Pro-cushion courts." They are made of five layers of rubber pellets, two coats of sand and several layers of acrylic topcoat.

"The response from the community has been tremendous," Storti said. "It’s great to see the investment in the courts has had such a positive impact on the members' playing experience. We have members that play two-to-three hours a day every day, the courts are very forgiving on the body."

According to the owners, about 50 percent of its membership are newcomers to the sport. Storti said O'Brien and himself understand the importance of providing lessons and opportunities for these members to play with others at their skill levels.

Because there are so many new players entering the sport. The club provides a "Pickleball Boot Camp." These three-hour sessions may have as many as eight students at a time.

The courses usually take place either on Saturday or Sunday. During the camp, the instructor will review all aspects of the game along with the rules and scoring. They also provide basic instruction as to all the different shots players need to master and teach the basics of court awareness both with and without a partner.

"Once you complete this lesson, then you will have greater confidence," Storti said. "The game itself will be more enjoyable for you and everyone you play with in the future."

Along with lessons, the club also offers leagues, private and event court booking, and paddle and ball rentals.

"The people that come in the door every day are happy, Storti said. "It's infectious. You really do get some enjoyment out of these people doing their best. They work hard, they sweat it out, and laugh at their selves."

More information about Lil' Rhody Pickleball can be found on the club's websites.

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