Indoor pickleball center to open in Annandale
Plans are underway for an indoor pickleball facility in the long-vacant Kid’s Choice building on Ravensworth Road in Annandale.
The Down the Line Sports Center will have 18 pickleball courts, golf simulators, and a sports bar with a balcony for spectators, says owner Jenni Bae.
Bae hopes to open the facility in the second half of 2024.
“It’s not just going to be an indoor gym,” she says. Bae plans to create a premiere facility to serve the entire area, hosting tournaments, teams, leagues, and youth programs, as well as a gathering place for pickleball players at all levels – beginners, advanced, and professional. Group and private instruction will be offered, too.
“Our center will be a hub serving neighboring communities,” Bae says, and tournaments could attract players from out-of-state, which would also boost Annandale’s economy.
Down the Line will be membership based but people can also come to the center as guests. Members will have priority access, members-only locker rooms, and other benefits not yet finalized.
Bae’s family owns the Han Gang restaurant next door and two Japanese steakhouses in Maryland and one in Sterling. Their original plan for the Kid’s Choice building was to replace it with a senior center and banquet hall. That proposal was approved by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in 2018, but the project never proceeded.
Instead, “once we saw how popular pickleball is, our family decided to pivot,” Bae said. “The building was designed as a sports facility, so that made more sense.”
An avid tennis player, Bae picked up pickleball during the pandemic. “The great thing about pickleball is it welcomes all ages and all levels of play. It’s a fun atmosphere and very social.”
Related story: Supervisors approve daycare facility for seniors/banquet hall in central Annandale
Bae enjoys playing with her father, who is nearly 30 years older, noting, “We are able to play a sport together competitively.”
“Skill is not directly related to age,” she says, as there are 10-year-olds playing in tournaments. Bae hopes to get more youths involved in the sport by hosting youth programs and camps for kids.
Bae is also opening a temporary Down the Line pickleball center in a vacant CVS at Courthouse Plaza in Fairfax in January. It will have three full courts and two practice courts. The City of Fairfax approved the project Dec. 12.
When the City of Fairfax’s economic development office learned about the future pickleball center in Annandale, Bae says, they decided to adopt a similar project on a smaller scale as a way to repurpose a vacant building before it can be redeveloped.
14 responses to “Indoor pickleball center to open in Annandale”
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This is a great idea! Here’s to it’s success!
What will happen to the gas station next door? The people who work there are the nicest and most helpful people around. I would hate to see it close for what…a parking lot?
I hope they have planned for parking! When we went to Kids Choice with our kids, parking was always an issue.
Awesome! I was a personal trainer and fitness instructor there for many years. I was sad to experience it’s closing. As fate would have it, I’m retired now and trying to learn the rules,etc of pickle ball! It’s a great game! I’ll certainly be a pickle ball patron when the facility opens!
I am so looking forward to this facility opening- walking distance from me! Will there be an actual gym in the facility as well? That is, weights, treadmill, that sort of thing. Even if it was only a small room or area, it would be so nice to be able to get all of my fitness and recreation needs in one place close to home. Good luck with the construction!
Wow, fantastic.
Can’t wait.
Love it! Already signed up on their website – exciting development for Annandale!
Played tennis there for many years. Good use of building. Wish them well
Congratulations for this project! I love PB., How much will be cost the membership? Hopefully 🤞 not too much; when can I start to sign up?, hopefully you guys have a deals! .
Best .
Me and my wife bought our first home right down the street from this center and wondered what the Board of Supervisors were planning to do with this facility after it shut down. We are excited for this amazing project that will bring the community together! We look forward to seeing updates as they start construction!
Can’t wait to become a member!!!
good luck removing the squatters!
Looking foward to a new hangout for people who are passionate about pickleball. Please publish membership rates and opening dates.
Good Luck, Bae family.
Any update?