When the Laidlaw-Smith family first picked up pickleball in 2024, Hydi, an acute care and trauma surgeon based in Newark, was recovering from a breast cancer diagnosis. After a series of treatments, Hydi longed for something that would help her reconnect with her body, mind and soul.
Alongside her husband Charlie, a plumber and owner of Flow Fast Plumbing in Newark, they ventured into Columbus in search of a pickleball facility.
The popularity of pickleball – a paddle sport that combines tennis, badminton and ping-pong – exploded in the early 2020s, with millions picking up a paddle for the first time in the years following the COVID-19 pandemic.
What began as a shared interest for the Laidlaw-Smiths quickly became a passion. Soon, they started bringing their daughters Ainsley and Addison to play, too. Both are tennis players at Granville High School, with Addison set to captain the girls’ tennis team this upcoming season. Still, their busy schedules often prevent them from joining their parents on the court.
“So the question became, ‘Who can we play pickleball with?’” Hydi said.
There are pickleball courts already in Newark – located at the Lou & Gib Ice Arena at 936 Sharon Valley Road – that are open daily from dawn to dusk, but those courts are all located outdoors, meaning gameplay was subject to Ohio’s unpredictable weather. Swirling winds, rainfall and sudden storms became another obstacle for the couple as they sought local pickleball options.
The couple grew frustrated by canceled games and started thinking about a more permanent, reliable solution.
“That’s exactly how Pickleville started — as a dream,” Hydi said.
Pickleville, an indoor and outdoor pickleball facility currently under construction in Newark and set to open in spring 2026, quickly grew into something bigger than just a place for the two to play the game.
“We want it for the community,” Charlie said.
At the intersection of Main Street and Thornwood Drive in Newark, the couple found a 14.2-acre plot of land, now under construction. While based in Newark, the facility will serve surrounding communities including Granville, Heath and beyond.
The facility will offer flexible hours and opportunities for people to play even if they don’t have a partner. A tiered membership system is in the works, including options for both members and drop-in players. Scheduling will be handled electronically, with tentative hours from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
“Pickleball should be played 365 days a year,” Hydi said. “It’s a hobby we love and want to make available to others.”
There will be six indoor courts and two outdoor ones. They are built to accommodate both Ohio’s weather and the high demand from pickleball enthusiasts.
With interest coming from all directions, even Denison University students, the Laidlaw-Smiths see this as more than just a recreational space. They hope it becomes a hub for the community, filled with cherished memories.
“We hope we’ll be able to contribute to fundraising activities,” Charlie said.
“We’ll have a dedicated platform for pickleball — a place for tournaments. It really is for the community,” he added.
The couple is excited to bring something new to the area: A place where people can not only practice this beloved sport, but a space that promotes health, exercise and wellness for everyone.
“Just seeing the whole community come out to play will be rewarding enough for us,” Charlie said.
Daniela Gomez Vargas writes for TheReportingProject.org, the nonprofit news organization of Denison University’s Journalism program, which is supported by generous donations from readers. Sign up for The Reporting Project newsletter here.