Life Time broke ground on its next adventure in Minnesota on September 5, 2023: its first ground-up pickleball club, which will sit adjacent to its athletic country club in Chanhassen. Along with members of the media and spectators, Bahram Akradi, Life Time founder, chairman, and CEO, and Elise Ryan, mayor of the city of Chanhassen, were onsite to mark the occasion and to offer their remarks on this highly anticipated addition to the area.
Bahram Akradi, founder, chairman, and CEO of Life Time (left) with Elise Ryan, mayor of the city of Chanhassen (right).
“Seven or eight months ago, we had an idea,” says Akradi. “We wanted to take this parcel of land that we’ve had for a long time and make a unique pickleball-only facility. We’re excited to create something beautiful for our city.” Chanhassen is also the headquarters for Life Time’s corporate offices.
Life Time has been committed to the expansion of pickleball since it started rising in popularity a few years ago: to date it has 60 permanent courts across the 12 Minnesota clubs that have pickleball and nearly 600 across the country. The investment in this pickleball-dedicated facility cements Life Time’s promise of being the premier provider of pickleball play and supporting the continued growth of the sport.
The 25,000-square-foot building, located just steps from the Life Time Chanhassen club, will host eight indoor and seven outdoor professional courts, along with a viewing area, bar, and lounge for social gatherings or events.
Plans have been drawn, concrete has been ordered, and Akradi hopes to open the doors to this new attraction in early 2024. “We’re moving fast,” he says. “This wouldn’t be possible without the partnership of the city of Chanhassen and Elise Ryan.”
“Bahram’s vision is something to be excited about,” says Ryan. “This is a privilege for Chanhassen. Life Time has been an excellent partner in the community, and we can never have enough pickleball courts, right?”
Life Time is on track to operate 700 pickleball courts across the country by the end of 2023, and has its sights set on having 1,000 in its portfolio by the end of the 2024.
“I love this sport because it’s for everyone,” says Akradi. “It’s for those who are young and those who are older. It allows anyone to step into it at any level. It’s a great way to bring the community together to play and have fun.”
