Carroll County’s First Dedicated Indoor Pickleball Facility Opens in May 2023
Dill Dinkers, the first dedicated indoor pickleball facility in Maryland, will open its second location in Carroll County in May 2023. The facility will be located at 2950 Dede Road in Finksburg, Maryland, formerly the Carroll Tennis Center. It will feature twelve (12) outdoor-style, indoor pickleball courts, locker rooms with showers, event space, a pro shop, ball machine rental, and a state-of-the-art reservation system. There will also be a welcoming space to socialize with other players.
“Since we’ve opened in Columbia, we’ve had hundreds of players visit our facility from across the United States looking for an opportunity to play indoor pickleball,” said Will Richards, CEO. “As ambassadors for the sport, we are committed to providing a fun, friendly, welcoming environment for new and current pickleball players in the Mid-Atlantic.”
Alli Richards, B.S., M.Sc., and Waymon Peet will lead the management team at Dill Dinkers in Finksburg.
Alli will serve as the Operations Manager, overseeing front-of-house operations, including memberships, parties, event rentals, and business advertising. Alli graduated from Towson University with a B.S. in Family Science and a First Class Honors M.Sc. in Children and Youth Studies from University College Dublin. Alli trained as a competitive jumper and was a U.S. National Jump Rope team member, winning over 35 national and six international titles. She also taught jump rope to thousands of kids from around the world. Alli also brings over a decade of experience in hospitality. “Between my hospitality background and my education in the field of psychology, I have a keen awareness of how to create a great experience for our players,” said Alli. “As a former competitive athlete, I also understand our players’ desire to learn, further their skills, and have fun. I look forward to creating that opportunity for our members in Finksburg.”
Waymon will serve as the Director of Pickleball Operations, overseeing pickleball programming for the facility to include day-to-day play, clinics, leagues, and lessons. An avid pickleball player with a background in playing tennis, Waymon is a Professional Pickleball Registry (PPR) certified pickleball professional and instructor. He played tennis with the United States Tennis Association (USTA) for eight years at a 4.5 level. Over the past ten years, Waymon has been a physical therapist assistant caring for clients with various issues, including racquet sports injuries. In addition to his pickleball and physical therapy background, Waymon is a United States Air Force veteran. “Pickleball is a life-long sport. It’s a fun, social, aerobic exercise with a low risk of injury,” said Waymon. “Whether you’re seven or seventy, you can learn to play pickleball in one short session. It’s a great way to connect with friends and family and meet new people.”
The Finksburg location will offer a wide array of options for getting out on the courts to play, including court reservations for members and non-members, clinics, leagues, and lessons for new and experienced players looking to improve their game. “Our leagues include play for all levels,” said Waymon. “It can be a great way for new and experienced players to gain skills, meet new people, and have fun.” Dill Dinkers will also offer advertising opportunities within the facility for businesses and organizations looking to reach a large, active audience focused on healthy living.
“We will begin selling memberships in April,” said Alli. “Anyone interested in becoming a member can visit our website at DillDinkers.com to see pricing and sign up for a membership.”