KENTWOOD, Mich. — If you've been wanting to play pickleball or Wiffle Ball during the winter months, a new sports entertainment venue in Kentwood has just what you're looking for.
Dinks & Dingers, which is set to open in the winter of 2024, will have six indoor pickleball courts, four outdoor pickleball courts and a full-size Wiffle Ball field.
The venue is being opened by entrepreneur Andy Anderson, who is hoping to make Kentwood known as Pickleball City.
"I'm gleefully excited. I've been working on this since August of 2023. It's been a long process," said owner Andy Anderson, who added that the venue is expected to open next winter.
"Obviously, we still have almost another year to go before it's open, but I'm super excited. I saw a lot of these venues in the southern states opening up, and I went and visited many of them while I was doing my market research. I was really hopeful that none would come up to Michigan before I opened mine."
Dinks & Dingers will be open for lessons, leagues, corporate and private events and open play. While yearly memberships will be offered, players will be able to walk in and play.
There will also be cornhole, shuffleboard and ping pong available.
Once you're done with your match, you can grab a brew and a bite to eat at Dinks & Dingers, which will feature a full-service restaurant and bar stocked with craft beer and cocktails.
"We will have membership levels, but it will be open to the public. You do not need a membership. Anybody can come in just for lunch, just for drinks, just to rent a court, or just to play Wiffle Ball," said Anderson, who noted that people who play frequently can save money in the long run by becoming a member.
The City of Kentwood is in the final stages of rezoning the property. The City Planning Commission and the City Council have already voted to support Dinks & Dingers.
Dinks & Dingers will be located at 5080 Broadmoor Avenue between M-6 and the Gerald R. Ford International Airport. Groundbreaking is expected to begin this spring.
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