When Molly Hansen, her father James McQueen and brother Tanner McQueen decided to build Premier Pickleball Club in Utah, they weren’t looking to replicate what already existed. Instead, they set out to address the most common complaints players had about indoor pickleball: cramped courts, poor air quality and deafening noise levels.
“We couldn’t find the club experience we loved,” said Hansen, GM and co-founder of Premier Pickleball Club. “Everybody was building clubs in existing retail spaces. They didn’t have control over sound, lighting or air — and when you’re playing, all of those things come into play.”
The result is a purpose-built facility that puts players’ health, safety and comfort at the forefront. Every court has 11 feet behind the baseline and seven feet on the sides, eliminating the risk of running into walls. Instead of chain-link dividers, sound-absorbing fabric creates a quieter playing experience. The building’s HVAC system completely refreshes indoor air every 15 minutes, with air quality monitors providing ongoing assurance.
“Our members notice the difference,” said Hansen.
Beyond air and sound, Premier also invested in cushioned court technology developed for tennis, that eases the impact on players’ joints. Hansen said the feature has been especially popular with older players.
“Some tell us they can play for two or three hours and feel great,” explained Hansen. “If they play that long at a park, their knees, ankles and hips hurt. The cushion makes a huge difference.”
The club also embraced technology with cameras on all 10 courts powered by PodPlay, giving players the option to save or share clips of their games. For Hansen, this serves a dual purpose: enhancing player development and creating organic marketing content when clips circulate online.
Premier Pickleball Club has also diversified its offerings beyond pickleball. A golf simulator was added to appeal to crossover athletes and provide an alternative during corporate or private events hosted in the facility’s spacious event area.
“When you host those big events, not everybody can or wants to play pickleball,” said Hansen. “We wanted something else people could enjoy.”
Programming That Builds Players
Programming is another area where Premier has chosen to stand out. Unlike most clubs, which offer free introductions to pickleball, Premier charges for its intro classes — and surprisingly, this has attracted more new players than expected.
“We thought we’d mostly draw existing players who’d appreciate our facility upgrades,” said Hansen. “But we’re getting a lot more traction with beginners.”
Other programs include cardio pickleball, high-performance training that integrates mental skills with physical strategy, and youth development clinics in partnership with high school teams. Hansen’s long-term vision is to establish Premier as the hub for young athletes preparing for collegiate-level play if and when pickleball reaches that stage.
Lessons Learned
After just a few months in operation, Hansen said the biggest lesson for fellow operators is the importance of tailoring offerings to local demand.
“What works for another club in New Jersey doesn’t necessarily work for this club here,” Hansen noted. “Even clubs just 30 minutes away are different. The key is listening to the people who come daily and weekly, and building programming and offerings around what this market wants.”
For Hansen, however, the most rewarding part hasn’t been the building design or programming — it’s the people.
“The vibe of a club is really based on the people it attracts,” said Hansen. “We’re trying to build a really positive community within our club, and it’s been so fun to see players bring their friends, to watch connections form, and to be part of that growth.”
With its combination of thoughtful facility design, innovative programming and a focus on community culture, Premier Pickleball Club offers a playbook other operators can learn from. As Hansen put it, “We’re proud of this building, and we’re really happy to build community here.”
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With over a decade spent covering the business side of sports and fitness, Rachel Chonko brings a wealth of experience and a true passion for active communities to Peake Media. As Editor-in-Chief, she’s focused on helping pickleball clubs and fitness facilities thrive, from guiding growth strategies to showcasing the latest industry trends. Rachel also hosts the Club Solutions Magazine Podcast, where she interviews leaders in fitness and pickleball to share insights and success stories with the wider community to give her listeners a competitive edge.
After taking up pickleball herself, Rachel has come to appreciate the sport’s unique blend of social connection and active living — a mix that’s perfectly in line with her editorial philosophy. Connect with her on LinkedIn, or check out her articles below for a deep dive into the energy and culture driving pickleball’s rapid rise.
