State College gets 9-court Picklr club with nationwide member access

A dead Big Lots on 503 Benner Pike was turned into something that matters to traveling players: a 27,000-square-foot indoor pickleball club with nine courts, a full pro shop and private event space, right across from the Happy Valley Casino. That scale makes this more than a local gym add-on. It gives State College a weather-proof destination for clinics, leagues, group getaways and tournament weekends in a college town that already knows how to handle sports traffic.

The new club is being owned and operated by Steve Smith, the Penn State football alum from the class of 1999. Smith said the project lets him bring a world-class pickleball facility back to a community he knows well, and the location on Benner Pike puts it squarely in the retail corridor where empty big-box space has been looking for a second life. Big Lots at 503 Benner Pike was part of the chain’s December 20, 2024 plan to close all remaining stores after a planned sale to Nexus Capital Management fell through, following a September 2024 Chapter 11 filing tied to inflation, declining sales and higher interest rates.

For players, the club’s real draw is what comes with membership. The Picklr says members will get unlimited open play, league access, tournament access and exclusive programs, along with certified instruction through Picklr Academy for beginners and players trying to sharpen competitive skills. The company launched The Picklr Academy and its P-Series framework in August 2025, pairing structured training with Wingfield technology and DUPR performance data to track progress more objectively.

The State College opening also plugs into a much larger network. The Picklr said in September 2025 that it had surpassed 50 open locations and described itself as North America’s fastest-growing indoor pickleball franchise, noting that fewer than half of franchise systems ever reach 50 operating units. Its membership pages advertise nationwide access, court reservations, open play, leagues, tournaments and clinic passes, and trial members can sample full access for 15 days before choosing a plan.

That nationwide access is what makes the Benner Pike club relevant beyond Centre County. A player can book a weekend in State College, get indoor court time no matter the weather, and then carry the same membership to another Picklr location elsewhere in the United States. The result is a new year-round stop for anyone who wants pickleball, lodging and a full trip instead of hoping the outdoor courts cooperate.