The pickleball phenomenon is growing in Biddeford, with a new business offering the sport’s enthusiasts an indoor option as the snows of winter approach.
Bounce Pickle and Play celebrated its grand opening on Nov. 20, adding to the rapidly growing Five Points area of Biddeford.
“It’s great to see developers investing in this part of Biddeford,” Mayor Martin Grohman said. “I can only see it continuing to grow.”
Developed by hotelier Tim Harrington and business partner Richard Evans, Bounce is located at 420 Alfred St., in the former home of Smitty’s Cinema.
It features six pickleball courts, three golf simulators, and a bar and restaurant.
“Pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports in the country,” Harrington said. “Mainers have unsurprisingly caught onto the craze.”
In recent years, pickleball has seen a surge in popularity in Maine and beyond. A cross between tennis, badminton and table tennis, pickleball is often lauded as easy to learn and accessible to all ages, making it the perfect sport for anyone to play.
But the Maine climate poses a challenge for outdoor pickleball courts, which can only be used for about half of the year.
Across the state, indoor pickleball courts like Bounce have been opening to allow players to enjoy the sport year-round. In 2023, the Wicked Pickle opened an indoor facility in South Portland, and last year, The Picklr opened an indoor location in Westbrook.
With its indoor courts, Bounce offers another new space in southern Maine for pickleballers to gather and play in round-robin tournaments, open play sessions and drop-in games year-round.
“Bounce is designed to bring all ages together to connect and stay active no matter the season,” Harrington said. “We’re excited to introduce it to Biddeford.”
For those more interested in the Patriots than pickleball, Bounce also offers a full bar and grill that will air live sports all day long.
“I’ve consistently heard that people are looking for more places to get together for activities and to socialize,” Grohman said. “Bounce is perfect in that way, especially for pickleball players and golfers looking to keep their game sharp over the winter.”
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