The People’s Courts: Open for Play
Candy Puterbaugh
50plus Magazine
Two local developers named Dave are bringing their love of pickleball to the people this summer.. When an old NE Portland bowling alley turned indoor bike park came available last fall, they knew it was just what they’d been seeking for their longtime vision. The huge building would become “The People’s Courts,” 48,000 square feet devoted to fun for everyone.
Today bright blue and red pickleball courts take the place of the old bowling lanes. Besides indoor and outdoor pickleball are courts for bocce ball, table tennis, ping pong and cornhole, plus an arcade, nine-hole putt putt-style disc golf course, a pro shop and two restaurants with full bars. The Daves hope to open in August.
“We came up with the idea about five years ago, shortly before the pickleball craze, and we’ve been excited about it ever since,” says Dave Sacks, a personal injury lawyer as comfortable on the court as in the courtroom. “We knew we had to wait until the opportunity arose — there aren’t many places this well-suited. And it’s hard to find court time anywhere.”
Pickleball is a singles or doubles game played like tennis on a badminton-sized court with paddles and a plastic ball. Sacks has played all his life. Ten years ago, his parents purchased property in rural Oregon City and built a pickleball court for the family.“I was a competitive tennis player who ran into pickleball in gym class and occasionally at tennis facilities and I loved playing. It’s social and fun for all ages and skill levels.
We hope to attract them all.”
Sacks’ partners, father Robert Sacks and first cousin Dave Schrott, own A & R Development and also play pickleball. Well known to those in local tourism and hospitality, the trio developed the downtown Ace Hotel and other well-known buildings.
Transforming the old bowling turned skate/bike park into The People’s Courts was a lot of work.
“It’s like a puzzle figuring out what to put where,” says Sacks. “The other sports we chose are popular, plus they fit nicely into the spaces between the pickleball courts. People are serious and passionate about all of them. For instance, cornhole and bocce take skill, but anyone at any age can enjoy playing. We’ve met with local ambassadors for each sport and they’re all excited to have a place to play all year.”
Leagues have already booked certain nights, according to director of operations Nichole Klaes. Rental packages are available for larger groups and leagues, and individual courts can be rented by the hour.
“I see pickleball everywhere!” Nichole says. “People are setting up portable nets to play at block parties. At a recent event at OMSI After Dark, we set up a pickleball court and people who had never played before loved it. It’s an easy sport to pick up.”
Sacks cites another draw to The People’s Courts. “We’ve got two restaurants with full bars. Some people might come just for those.”
Tables are arranged so people can enjoy a bite and beverage while watching the action on the courts or sports broadcast on overhead televisions. Kids might come after school just for the arcade.
During this writer’s visit, workers hammered away at “The Kitchen” at one end, serving a grill menu and local beers and cocktails. At the other end is “The Parlor,” a tiled space offering pizza, shakes, soft-serve ice cream and another full bar. Nichole smiles, noting that Dave’s mother Ann Sacks, who owned a Portland tile store, selected the tile.
Nichole also points out the faux green hedges surrounding the outdoor pickleball courts. “Neighbors are often upset about the noise at outdoor courts elsewhere. Here on noisy 82nd across from McDaniel High School we
won’t have noise issues!”
“The People’s Courts is not just for pickleball players but for the entire community, ” Sacks says. “It’s for all kinds of people with different interests. Our dream is to see hundreds of people come together and have a great time, year-round.”
Candy Puterbaugh is a wife, mother, grandmother, sister, writer, groan-inducing punster, competitive runner and pet lover.