Delaware
Newark’s new pickleball facility is coming this summer (maybe). Here’s what to expect
Ashland Nature Center provides trails, learning experiences year round
The Ashland Nature Center in Hockessin provides a bevy of trails and learning experiences to Delawareans year round. 5/1/25
Delaware’s pickleball craze is not slowing down anytime soon.
Pickleball facilities make up some of the largest lot sizes in the state’s shopping centers, with at least three openings coming in this year alone.
The next major pickleball facility is expected to open at The Grove in Newark by the end of the summer, expanding its nationwide reach to Delaware for the first time.
Here are the details.
The Picklr coming to Newark
The Picklr, a nationwide chain of pickleball facilities, plans to open a facility at The Grove at the end of this summer.
It was first reported in summer 2024 that The Picklr would take over half of the former Kmart, with the original targeted opening date in May.
While some construction setbacks delayed the project’s opening, representatives working on the Newark opening confirmed recently that they are looking toward an opening between late August and early September.
The Picklr will take over 50,000 square feet of space in the former Kmart space, connected to the incoming Newark location of Lefty’s Alley and Eats.
What will The Picklr in Newark offer?
According to Joshua Cline with The Picklr, the space will house 12 championship-sized courts. Ball machines are also available for interested players.
The interior of Newark’s Picklr location will be similar to the chain’s other 80-plus locations. Walls are black to help players keep track of balls, and play and sound baffling is installed so the racket of the racquets don’t distract other players.
The Newark location will be equipped with a fully-stocked pro shop open to members and non-members to purchase pickleball gear. Food and drink options also will be available.
A system will be in place for players looking to improve skills. It uses artificial intelligence to track users’ technique. Customers who opt-in can download a mobile app for immediate coaching feedback on drills and matches. Access to the technology will cost between $29 to $39 per month, according to Cline.
Warm up and cool down areas will be provided, featuring injury-prevention tools like foam rollers, mats for stretching and other warm-up equipment.
A community room can be rented for private events.
What will it cost to join The Picklr?
Tiered memberships will be made available. Among the options are unlimited memberships, which include access to any of The Picklr’s locations around the country, free court reservations, unlimited play in competitive and club tournaments, as well as monthly guest passes and clinic passes.
Rates are not finalized for the Newark location’s monthly membership options, according to Cline.
The first members to sign up for a membership will receive a Founder Membership, which locks in a lifetime discounted monthly rate. Sign-ups are available online now to be notified of when Founder Memberships are up for sale.
Drop-in fees for non-members are $30, which allows for a full day of use at the location. Non-members also can play in competitive tournaments or other events for a $30 registration fee.
When will the Picklr be open in Newark?
Expect events and programming when The Picklr opens. Cline said locations usually host three tournaments per month, including competitive events and more casual games and challenges.
The Picklr’s hours will be from 6 a.m. until 11 p.m. every day.
The Picklr is just one of many pickleball facility openings and investments being made in Delaware. Most recently Dill Dinkers opened its doors in Newport in April and Bounce Pickleball opened its eight-court facility in Wilmington at 510 Justison St. on Feb. 1.
What else is coming to The Grove?
The Grove in Newark continues to add more retail options in attempt to become the next premier shopping and recreational destination in the city.
Lefty’s Alley and Eats is taking over the other half of the former Kmart, occupying 41,000 square feet of space that will be filled with 20 bowling lanes, ax throwing, TopGolf simulators, darts, a pub and a stage for live music.
According to Lefty’s website, the Newark location is estimated to open in early 2026, rather than this fall as originally planned.
The 1950s-style diner Nifty Fifty announced it would occupy the former KFC next to the Wawa on site at The Grove. The chain specializes in burgers, sandwiches and milkshakes and boasts over 100 soda flavors.
Administrators for the location’s social media pages have stated that the Newark location is looking to open “this summer.”
The Grove’s Coldstone Creamery, located next to the First Watch and Starbucks, is open.
Molly McVety covers community and environmental issues around Delaware. Contact her at mmcvety@delawareonline.com. Follow her on Twitter @mollymcvety.
DELAWARE COUNTY, Ind. — All lanes closed on I-69 in the southbound direction in Delaware County on Friday morning.
Authorities with the Indiana State Police were dispatched to the 240.5 mile marker on a report of a crash involving a semi at approximately 8:08 a.m.
All lanes are now open.
Pennrose and JPMorganChase help neighborhoods – and residents – thrive.
Finding an affordable place to live continues to be a challenge for many as widespread housing shortages persist across the U.S. Rising home prices and high interest rates have made homeownership inaccessible for a large portion of the population. Meanwhile, as rental demand increases, the number of renters facing affordability challenges is also on the rise.
The State of the Nation’s Housing 2025 by Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies reveals that cost burdens for renters reached another record high in 2023. Similarly, the JPMorganChase Institute reports that renter affordability is declining and forcing people to devote more of their take-home pay to housing costs. There is a growing need for affordable housing across the U.S., and that rings true here in Wilmington.
To close that gap, it’s essential that all Wilmington residents share in its growth with housing options that accommodate a range of needs and budgets. For the Pennrose real estate firm, this meant delivering a concrete solution to the local community, resulting in housing for individuals and families who otherwise might not have been able to live in the area.
Reinvesting in Wilmington’s Riverside
In Wilmington, the Riverside redevelopment initiative is focused on neighborhood stability at a scale that can be felt across generations – bringing housing, education and community resources together so families can remain rooted and move forward. Imani Village, developed by Pennrose in partnership with the Wilmington Housing Authority and nonprofit community organization REACH Riverside and constructed with support from JPMorganChase, is part of this broader effort, which is expected to create more than 600 high-quality, mixed-income homes while also enhancing and expanding EastSide Charter School and Kingswood Community Center to help establish a “cradle to college/career readiness education pipeline.”
By tying new housing to strengthened local institutions, the redevelopment aims to reduce the pressure that forces families to relocate and instead keep children closer to school, neighbors closer to one another and residents connected to the services that help them thrive. In practical terms, Imani Village represents not just additional homes, but a commitment to building a neighborhood where opportunity is easier to access and easier to keep.
“We’re proud of the far-reaching impact this project will have. It reflects Pennrose’s mission to uplift our communities and expand the supply of high-quality, affordable homes,” said Brett Macleod, Community Development Banking, J.P. Morgan. “Every additional housing unit matters – and increasing the number that are affordable is critical.”
A broader commitment to Wilmington’s future
While Imani Village is foundational, the vibrancy of a community depends on much more. In Delaware, the firm provides banking services to 215,000 customers and works across sectors to expand economic opportunity. Over the last five years, JPMorganChase has invested more than $25 million in local nonprofit organizations, supported 25,000 small business clients and delivered financial health education to thousands of residents to broaden access to banking, financial health resources, homeownership and other wealth-building tools.
“As we work with local stakeholders to expand housing options, JPMorganChase’s goal is to create inclusive economic opportunity for all,” said Don Mell, Location Management, Americas East Region Lead and member of the Delaware & Philadelphia Market Leadership Team at JPMorganChase. “When our communities thrive, we all thrive.”
Learn more about affordable housing and community development at jpmorgan.com/commercial-real-estate.
Read more from Spotlight Delaware
-
Ohio5 minutes agoBlack bear spotted in Licking County as sightings rise across Ohio
-
Oklahoma12 minutes agoOklahoma State Football Target Israel Hammons Commits to Cowboys
-
Oregon15 minutes agoHow to stay cool and limit health risks during Oregon summer heat
-
Pennsylvania20 minutes agoCentral Pennsylvania farmers feel the effects of April freeze ahead of Father’s Day
-
Rhode Island27 minutes agoRhode Island to phase out sale of rat poisons under new law
-
South-Carolina30 minutes agoTexas A&M baseball lands LHP Logan Prisco from South Carolina
-
South Dakota35 minutes ago
SD Lottery Mega Millions, Millionaire for Life winning numbers for June 19, 2026
-
Tennessee42 minutes agoTennessee baseball adds pitcher Ricky Ojeda, UC Irvine transfer
