York Township opens new indoor pickleball courts

When Courts of York owner Ron Pfaff and general manager Bryan Paterak decided to remodel one of Pfaff’s commercial properties into indoor pickleball courts, they had more in mind than exercise and recreation.

“The goal was to have something for the community, to gather people together in a comfortable setting,” Paterak said. “And to be even bigger if it keeps going the way it is.”

With three courts and room to add four more, The Courts of York, 6440 Norwalk Road, Suite N, is one of the only facilities of its type in Northeast Ohio, Paterak said.

“We brainstormed a lot of things – a golf simulator, kids soccer facility – and hit on pickleball,” he said, noting the sport remains one of the fastest-growing in the country.

Construction began in spring 2025 and was completed in November. Since opening, the facility has welcomed more than 900 visitors.

“We will have 1,000 soon; word is getting out,” Paterak said. “We have 11 leagues – women’s leagues, men’s leagues, couples’ leagues – and at this point, we have no membership fee.”

Players must register to reserve court time, but there is no membership fee.

In addition to the courts, the facility features a locker room, a practice pickleball machine available free with a court rental, and a stretching room with a stretching machine.

Paterak said player safety is a top priority.

“The court surfaces are a sport surface, which is better for knees, ankles, shins and feet and cuts down on injuries,” he said. “It is softer than concrete or hardwood, which is what most players are used to, and players are telling me the recovery time is much quicker.”

The Courts of York is open Sunday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Court rentals are $40 per hour, and Paterak said the online rental process at thecourtsofyork.com is simple. Paddles are available to rent or purchase, and balls are provided free.

“If you play with three others, that is $10 a person,” Paterak said. “It is hard to do something for $10.”

The climate-controlled facility allows for year-round indoor play, with wide garage doors that can open for an outdoor feel in summer months. It also includes a lounge and snack area, a miniature golf putting green for children, Courts of York merchandise, and a party room that accommodates 25-35 people for $250, plus $40 per hour per court.

The Courts of York offers specials on select days and a loyalty program that provides free court time.

“We want people to keep coming back. We are the new kids on the block,” Paterak said. “We also want people to rethink the open play policy. With most pickleball courts, you might wait for hours for a game. Here, it is your court, almost like a tee time in golf. You can rent an hour and instead of standing in the sun for three hours to play four games, you can stay one hour and play seven games.”

Diane Doute-Leverette of Medina said she enjoys the facility for several reasons.

“I like playing with my two sons – I didn’t like playing with people I don’t know, and it was hard to find people at my level,” she said. “I am also in the women’s league, which is a lot of fun. It is perfect here – nice courts, the ball machine and the stretch machine, and they play the perfect mix of music.”

Chatham Township resident Amy West said she and her husband, Jack, began coming to The Courts of York after receiving pickleball paddles for Christmas.

“I was hooked from the start,” West said, adding that the sport and the facility are affordable and somewhat addictive. “I have been here three times today,” she said with a laugh. “It is super good exercise; I’d much rather come here than go out to a restaurant.”

For more information, visit thecourtsofyork.com or call 330-952-0897.