Health & wellness
BY JOVANNA AGUILAR
What began as a plan for more warehouse space has transformed into a 30,000-square-foot hub of sport, social life and community in Porter. What’s special about it The Pickleball Zone was founded in November 2024 by a group of likeminded guys who met at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Kingwood. Co-owner Tony Bender said when he and his partners Tim Vogel and John Engelhardt pur- chased the land where The Pickleball Zone resides today, they intended to open a warehouse facility. However, after discussing their plans with friends, they realized the community lacked a space for pickleball. According to The USA Pickleball court location database, 2024 saw increased focus and growth on facility services with 4,000 new locations added nationwide. With community in mind, Bender and his busi- ness partners founded The Pickleball Zone, a pick- leball facility that o ers an elevated experience for pickleball enthusiasts and locals alike. The facility features 10 indoor courts and 3,000 square feet of common space featuring a bar, TVs and leather couches. O cials said the venue’s bar—Bar 365—is named for Porter’s ZIP code: 77365. The facility also o ers golf simulators, pickleball classes and holds events such as birthday parties and community events. On Fridays, the facility alternates between karaoke and live music per- formed by local artists, and o ers food provided by local restaurant Jesse’s Burgers. Up next, The Pickleball Zone plans to launch a corn hole series in February in collaboration with the Texas Cornhole Association, Bender said. What else? Although Bender said he did not play pickleball prior to opening The Pickleball Zone, he is now in love with the sport and the community aspect of it. “It’s such a community sport, you are so close to your competitors and your teammates, and you’re constantly rotating partners, so you get to meet a lot of people,” Bender said. With memberships ranging from $50-$239 per month, The Pickleball Zone also o ers two free introductory classes on Mondays and Fridays. In addition, with over 10,000 visitors during its rst year serving Porter, Bender said there are endless networking opportunities and social The Pickleball Zone brings community space to Porter
The Pickleball Zone supports Addi’s Faith Foundation, a nonpro t founded by co-owner Tony Bender and his wife.
PHOTOS COURTESY THE PICKLEBALL ZONE
Bar 365 at The Pickleball Zone o ers an elevated bar with specialty cocktails.
At The Pickleball Zone, customers can rent a court for $40 per hour.
connections at the venue. While the facility supports several local organi- zations, The Pickleball Zone focuses on supporting Addi’s Faith Foundation, a cancer research non- pro t founded by Bender and his wife, and named after Bender’s late daughter. “My wife and I are very involved in the commu- nity because we lost our daughter 18 years ago to a brain tumor, and we have a foundation that helps provide nancial support for families that have a child with cancer,” Bender said. So far, Bender said The Pickleball Zone has raised $1 million over the last 12 months and donated $3 million to MD Anderson cancer
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22056 W. Ford Road, Porter www.thepbz.com
research. In addition, the facility holds an annual pickleball tournament in July to raise money for Addi’s Faith Foundation.
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NEW CANEY PORTER EDITION
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