WEST BOYLSTON, Mass. - Rt. 12 Pickle, a new indoor facility dedicated to pickleball, opened in West Boylston Thursday morning for the first time.

“I think that this can be a real destination location for Worcester County, given the fact that this is the only pure play indoor pickleball club as of today in Worcester County,” founder Ben Minsk said.

The 30,000 square foot facility, which was once Salter College, is now an indoor pickleball club with 8 courts.

Minsk said with an added function room and other amenities including a concession stand with beer and hard seltzer, Rt. 12 Pickle is staffed with five certified pickleball pros, welcoming players of all skill levels.

For Minsk, the sport of pickleball is something he fell in love with. He said he’s been playing for two years and quickly saw a need for a dedicated indoor space.

“It was a passion for the game and the growth of the game where I saw that the public courts just aren't enough places to play," Minsk said. "And given where we are, the need to have a place to play in the wintertime, in the summertime, especially as well when it's extremely hot or when it rains. So, the notion of an indoor facility, it makes total business sense.”

2024 marks the 59^th anniversary since the invention of pickleball, but the sport has seen a lot of growth in recent years with nearly 9 million players in the U.S. in 2023, according to USA Pickleball.

Minsk said he’s excited to welcome players and continue the growing the game at Rt. 12 Pickle.

“You look around what's happening nationwide and pickleball is just taking off like a rocket," Minsk said. "There's an announced facility in Natick, which is taking over an old Neiman Marcus facility, that is going to be 21 courts. And it just validates what's happening here.”

Minsk said the facility will be open seven days a week.