Pickleball facility to open in Annandale

Down the Line, a state-of-the-art pickleball facility in Annandale, will have a soft opening on Sunday, June 15.

It’s located in a completely renovated building at 4311 Ravensworth Road that had been vacant for years since Kid’s Choice Sports Center closed.

Down the Line offers 12 championship-size courts with electronic scorekeeping and the ability to screen some matches online. There’s a lounge with a bar overlooking the courts.

Some of the features are still under construction, but should be completed in time for the Grand Opening on July 7, says owner Jenni Bae.

The facility will have a gym; three golf simulators, including one in a private party room; a full-service restaurant and kitchen; locker rooms; a pro shop, and a premier lounge for the highest membership tier with massage chairs and games. 

Related story: Indoor pickleball center to open in Annandale

Bae is also planning leagues, tournaments, coaching, and pickleball camps for kids.

Professional pickleball player Ben Johns and other pros will offer tips and coaching at the Grand Opening, which will also feature a “special edition tournament” as part of the yearlong “Road to Minors” tournament Bae runs.

The restaurant will have sandwiches, salads, tacos, chicken tenders and wings, nachos, smoothies, beer, and cocktails.

There are several membership categories, plus open play opportunities. So far, Down the Line has 100 members, many of whom transferred from the pickleball facility Bae developed in Fairfax.

The Fairfax location, originally planned as a temporary use in a building slated for redevelopment, will stay open, Bae says. It will operate on an autonomous basis, with no staff. Members will use an app to open the door.