A pickleball and beer garden combo is planned near Columbia’s zoo. Here’s what to know
An new venue that will feature pickleball courts and a beer garden is being planned near one of Columbia’s key tourist attractions.
PickleGarden on the River, a facility that would have multiple pickleball courts and offer expansive space for food and drinks, is being planned on a nearly 5-acre property at 680 Candi Lane in Columbia, according to a news release from commercial real estate firm Colliers. The venue would be just north of Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens and not far from the Saluda Riverwalk.
According to Colliers, the project will include “12 spacious pickleball courts, 10,000 square feet of turf and biergarten space, 2,240 square feet of mixed-use space to be utilized as a members lounge or event space, a 3,600-square-foot, climate-controlled indoor/outdoor space overlooking the venue and access to the Riverwalk on the Lower Saluda River.”
Pickleball has exploded in popularity in the U.S. According to National Geographic, the sport has nearly 5 million players across the nation, a number 40% higher than 2020. The Sports and Fitness Industry Association tabbed it the fastest growing sport in the country.
“PickleGarden isn’t just about play; it’s about savoring delicious eats, soaking up the outdoors and creating lasting memories with loved ones,” PickleGarden on the River co-founder Abbott Bray said in the release. “We’re bringing joy, inspiring health and promoting the outdoors — one pickleball rally, one craft beer sip, one river walk up the Saluda River at a time.”
Colliers’ Ryan McCue said the project will be “one of the only commercially developed, private tracts” near that section of the river.
An opening date for PickleGarden on the River was not included in the Thursday release.
This story was originally published January 4, 2024 at 11:14 AM.
