Day 141: Major Milestone: Building Shell Done, 118 Members & Counting!
As always, there's a lot to report on both the construction progress and the exciting business developments at Open Play Pickleball & Padel Club!
Site Updates: The Good, The Surprising, and The Beautiful
Stormwater System Complete ✅
After what felt like forever, my site crew finally completed the massive Cultec Stormwater Management system and moved on to more exciting activities – like sewer connection.
I have to say, we caught a break here. Since we're part of the Legacy Farms development, we get to connect to the private wastewater treatment plant that was built specifically for this expansion of Hopkinton about 15 years ago. Even better? Thanks to the gentle slope of our property, we don't need to invest in a pump to assist wastewater flow – gravity will do what it's supposed to do and help things get where they need to go!
After all the challenges we've faced, it felt good to have at least one part of this project where we didn't have to overextend ourselves.
The Great Pipe Hunt 🕵️♂️
But, like everything in life, it is not that simple... Can you imagine how surprised my team was when they dug a massive hole about 14 feet deep trying to locate the pipe we were supposed to connect to, only to find... nothing? They spent an entire day making the hole deeper and wider, before realizing the pipe probably wasn't marked correctly on the plans.
That's when they called in the specialists with camera equipment to locate where this mysterious pipe actually was. Turns out, it was about 10 feet north of where the as-built plans said it should be. Oh well – these things happen in construction!
The good news? The team finally located it without turning the entire site upside down, quickly tied into the sewer line, and moved on to other priorities.
Parking Lot & Outdoor Padel Area Prep
Speaking of moving on to other things – they've stripped the topsoil above the leaching field! This area is destined to become our 60-car parking lot and a gorgeous outdoor padel area complete with private seating and space for tournaments and social events.
Outdoor Courts Looking Perfect 🎾
The asphalt for our outdoor pickleball courts has been installed and is curing beautifully. Even after recent storms and heavy rain, there are practically no bird baths – which means the asphalt crew did a fantastic job following our specifications to ensure the courts are perfectly flat yet have the slight slope needed for proper drainage.
Building Updates: Record Time Progress!
Building Shell Complete 🏠
The building went up in record time! Everything is in place – walls, roof, insulation, and interior metal panels. The only two missing pieces are the overhead door and main entrance door, which will be installed in a couple of weeks after we pour the slab.
I did a walkthrough yesterday, and it looks absolutely stunning! Even though it's a prefabricated metal building, there's incredible craftsmanship that goes into putting it together. Everything is straight, plumb, and just perfect!
Smart Roof Design Choices 🌧️
I'm particularly happy I selected a standing seam design for the metal roof instead of the screw-down option. With our beautiful (and unpredictable) New England weather featuring rain, snow, ice, and everything in between, I can sleep peacefully knowing this roof won't leak.
I also selected special paint that deflects light and heat – so even on the hottest days, it'll be comfortable inside with minimal AC usage. It's a win-win: good for the environment AND for the club's bottom line!
Next Phase: Slab Preparation
The next major step is preparing for the concrete slab. This means digging trenches for all electrical and mechanical pipes and conduits, plus ensuring the slab has thicker, reinforced areas specifically designed for our indoor padel courts and mezzanine.
Timeline: In two weeks, we should have the slab poured! Then in December, the team starts the interior build-out, and the club will finally start looking like... well, a club!
Business Updates: The Community is Amazing!
Going forward, I'll be sharing both construction AND business updates as we approach opening day and I split my attention between finishing construction and preparing for our grand opening.
Founding Memberships Flying! 🚀
We started selling Founding Memberships about 3 weeks ago, and as I'm writing this on November 13th, we already have 118 committed members!
This level of support from our local pickleball and padel community has been both exciting and heartwarming. Not only are people signing up, but they're actively spreading the word to their friends and family.
Quick reminder: Once we sell the first wave of 150 Founding Memberships, prices go up permanently. If you know anyone who would appreciate being part of this club and our growing community of racquet sport enthusiasts, please share this with them – they'll thank you later! 😊
Hall of Fame Expansion 🏆
I've been collecting hand-signed paddles from elite players on both the pickleball and padel sides, and I'm excited to report we'll likely need to expand our planned Hall of Fame to accommodate all the paddles we already have (plus more we're expecting by year-end).
True legends and GOATs will be represented – here's just a little tease of what's coming! Anna Bright just got a gold medal a few days ago winning Pickleball World Championship with Anna Leigh Waters, whose paddle I also hope to get in the coming weeks.
We're Hiring! 👥
As we approach the finish line, we've started accepting applications for various roles: front desk, pickleball instructors, padel instructors, and more.
Love pickleball or padel? Enjoy teamwork and creating amazing member experiences? Come be part of our community-driven team! Apply at openplayppc.com/careers.
Looking Ahead
Overall, I feel incredibly blessed with where we are – both with construction progress and with this amazing community that's forming around what we're building.
The pieces are all coming together, and I can practically see the finish line from here. Every day brings us closer to opening day in early 2025, and I couldn't be more excited to share this journey with all of you.
Onwards and upwards!
As always, here to bring you joy!
