Visalia Set to Welcome California's First Dill Dinkers Pickleball Franchise in 2026

Fresno developers Bill and Georgia Revilla signed a 10-year lease on March 18 for a South Bridge Street property in Visalia that will become the first Dill Dinkers pickleball franchise in California, with the Revillas targeting a summer 2026 opening pending city permits.

The 31,000-square-foot facility, owned by the George family, had most of its renovation already completed before the lease was signed. The center is scaled down from an original plan conceived by now-retired businessman Johnny George, but Bill Revilla said the footprint leaves little to be desired. "We're only leasing the 31,000-square-foot facility, and that should be good enough for 11 courts," he said. "That's also going to have a reception area with a cafe. It is set up for that, and it's also going to have a pro shop." Cushioned courts and tournament-grade lighting round out the planned playing experience.

The Revillas bring backgrounds that span medicine, finance, and real estate. Georgia Revilla is a licensed dentist, while Bill Revilla's career includes hospital administration, global finance, and business leadership. Together they also manage a real estate rental portfolio. Their Dill Dinkers commitment runs well beyond this single location: the pair signed a regional development deal to open at least 10 indoor pickleball locations across California's Central Valley, stretching from Madera to Visalia. Dill Dinkers had telegraphed its Central Valley ambitions in a July 29, 2025 press release, announcing a goal of at least 10 locations in the greater Fresno/Visalia area over the next decade.

Revilla said the organization's resource priorities are already fixed. "All of our resources are being poured into two things," he explained. "Number one is the best employees, because we love people. We want to make sure that we take care of our people. And number two, we're putting our resources where it really counts, and that is, of course, the quality of the courts and the lighting, just having the right amenities for the sake of the players." He added that a project manager has already been hired and will begin company training at Dill Dinkers' facilities in Baltimore.

On the Visalia opening timeline, Revilla was candid about the variable he cannot control. "Hopefully we open, Lord willing, this summer," he said. "I can't tell you the exact month but, of course, it has a lot to do with the permitting process in Visalia. We do hope that the city of Visalia can see the great benefit that this facility will bring to the community, and being a great place for social gathering, connection, and to enjoy playing pickleball, network, and get healthy."

Dr. Ben Litalien, chief development officer at Dill Dinkers, framed the partnership in terms of what the franchise looks for in regional operators. "Georgia and Bill have a vision for building something meaningful for their community, and that's exactly what we look for in our partners," Litalien said. "We're excited to work alongside them, introducing the joy of pickleball through high-quality courts and a welcoming playing experience across the Central Valley."

The George family will serve as commercial landlords under the 10-year agreement, with the Revillas holding an option to renew in 2036. If the Visalia location opens on schedule and the regional development deal advances as planned, Central Valley players could see nine more Dill Dinkers courts materializing between Madera and Visalia before that renewal date arrives.