Pickleball & More to open in Dartmouth in September 2023

May 22, 2024

DARTMOUTH — Another indoor pickleball court is heading for the SouthCoast with an opening planned for late September in the Planet Fitness plaza on Dartmouth Street.

"We aim to be more than just a pickleball facility. We aspire to build a community connected by their love for the sport and commitment to active living," said Donat Aubuchon, owner of Pickleball & More, in a press release.

"We are dedicated to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for players of all ages and skill levels to promote fitness and fun."

Pickleball & More is on a mission to provide a premier indoor pickleball experience with a state of the art facility with over 30,000 square feet of space and featuring nine cushioned courts designed to mitigate fatigue on muscles and joints, according to the release.

The plans call for a climate controlled facility with a newly installed ceiling and exhaust fan to ensure a constant supply of fresh, filtered air and state of the art LED lighting.

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Located at 718 Dartmouth Street, the facility will offer soft drinks and healthly snacks with a beer and wine license coming in the near future. There will also be a list of trainers-for-hire and opportunities to rent the space for events and birthdays.

Registration as a member of Pickleball & More is free and can be done in three easy steps using their official app. Open Monday-Saturday 9am-9pm and Sunday 9am-6pm, open play and clinics will cost $40/court for 1-hour.

As pickleball continues to thrive in the SouthCoast area, first with indoor courts opening at Southcoast Pickleball in Fairhaven opening in August 2022, Dartmouth isn't the only new announcement for local players.

According to the Fairhaven Pickleball Association, there is also construction at Livesey Park dedicated to building premium outdoor courts with individual fencing to stop balls from going into the next court.

Aubuchon said the the growth of Pickleball & More is because of his passion for the sport. During the pandemic, Pickleball & More began in his driveway when he discovered it was the perfect dimensions for a pickleball court.

"During a time with so much unknown and uncertainty, there was one constant – pickleball," he said.

His love for the game and the positive impact it had on his life socially, emotionally and physically drove him to want to provide a similar experience for the community of Dartmouth and beyond.

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As an environmentally friendly organization, Aubuchon — who also owns the commercial plaza where Pickleball & More is located — has invested in significant capital improvements such as covering over 1-acre of the commercial roof with solar panels all to make the property better for the community of Dartmouth.

"What about the And More?? People have been asking what is the More? It is an ever-evolving answer," he said. "As we get established, we would like of offer fund raising events, corporate functions, private parties, expanded tournament play such as cornhole or darts, beer and wine tastings, food trucks and more.

"The 'more' is only limited to our imagination."

Standard-Times staff writer Seth Chitwood can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter: @ChitwoodReports. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Standard-Times today.