BRIDGETON, Mo. — A new pickleball and badminton facility with more than two dozen courts is underway at the former Weekends Only building in Bridgeton.

It may just be one of the largest indoor pickleball and badminton venues in the St. Louis region.

Arch Pickleball and Badminton will have 24 professional pickleball courts, six tournament-sized badminton courts, a cafeteria and a pro shop.

It will host leagues, tournaments, lessons and offer athletes memberships.

Owner Marshall Pan has been hard at work getting the new venue ready. He plans for an opening date sometime this month.

“It should be a great hit,” Pan said. “I’ve already received so many calls asking about our facility.”

He mentioned that the venue is conveniently located in Bridgeton because it is close to the airport, Lindbergh Boulevard and two major highways.

Pan is no stranger to the paddle sport community. He played badminton for years and opened an indoor facility with his friends in Chesterfield.

However, the shutdown of the COVID-19 pandemic caused that venue to close.

“We kind of went broke because we had to pay rent and we didn’t have income,” he said.

Thanks to a grant from the COVID pandemic relief fund, Pan reopened inside Chesterfield Mall on the first floor where the food court was located.

He started out with four badminton courts inside the mall and expanded into pickleball as the sport became popular. After initially starting with three pickleball courts, he doubled that amount due to growing interest.

Due to the demolition of the Chesterfield Mall, Pan had to move his business out in August.

Without giving up on his dream, Pan searched for a location with high ceilings and enough space for badminton and pickleball.

He came across the former Weekends Only furniture store in Bridgeton, which has the square footage and ceiling height necessary.

“I think people will like this new facility,” Pan said, noting that vibrant colors have been painted on the walls, among other work taking place.

Pan asks for players to remain patient as progress continues on the new Arch Pickleball and Badminton facility.

For updates, visit the Arch Pickleball and Badminton website.