Membership FAQ

I LOVE THESE NEW MEMBERSHIPS BUT AM I REQUIRED TO CHANGE?

-No you do not need to change! You can keep your existing membership through the end of your current term.

HOW WILL OPEN PLAY CHANGE

Since we opened in February, we have received lots of great feedback about how we could run open play better - and we heard you! Because of the way the current membership is structured, many members saw the primary benefit being open play, and only open play, and it doesn’t work well for the majority of our members.

What happened as a result is that we had everyone competing to get the spots in open play - all levels and open play got leveled up to the point where newcomers to the club and the sport felt intimidated. Now, people can go where they want to go - level wise but also, importantly, we have decided to change the format of open play to allow for a challenge court for any open play session that is 3 full courts or more.

WHY ARE YOU MAKING THESE CHANGES TO MEMBERSHIP AND WHY NOW?

You may know that in November 2024, we sold out the Founder Memberships in 24 hours, and when we started sales again in February 2025, we sold out again in 30 days, have not sold any memberships since and have a long waiting list.

This was our soft opening period, and we intentionally under utilized the facility for 5 months to learn how members and visitors use The Clubhouse, what is important to them and what changes are needed. We’re ready now to fill out the membership and let it become the amazing club it was always intended to be. A home away from home for our members.

GIVE ME THE BASICS OF THE NEW MEMBERSHIPS.

-There are now 3 levels of membership available at 3 different monthly price points, with 3 different sets of benefits and all can now be purchased annually, or monthly.

The Casual membership is best for those that play 10-15 hours (per month) and are mostly interested in organized play: open, skill based, etc.
The Game Changer membership is best for those that play 15-25 hours (per month) and like organized play but with flexibility to book during non-prime times.
The Fanatic membership is best for for the addicted who play 25+ hours (per month), wants maximum access plus flexibility and the ability to just come and play, whenever.

Want a Wintertime, Saturday morning court time (like everybody else :), you can book it - before others at considerable savings, no matter your membership level - and for Fanatic members, at no additional cost

YOUR NEW CASUAL MEMBERSHIP SEEMS REALLY SIMILAR TO THE EXISTING MEMBERSHIP, WHY WOULD I MAKE A SWITCH?

The monthly cost is the same but the benefits are much better! Once you make the switch, the $65 investment you’ve made can continue to be used for Open Play - if that’s what you prefer but now can also be used for skill based events to play with those of your own level.

WHY WOULD I JOIN AS AN ANNUAL MEMBER V MONTHLY

-Annual Members pay a lower monthly price, do not have an initiation fee, and have secured their price and spot at The Clubhouse for 12 months.

-The prices currently being offered are Summertime, discounted prices and subject to increase.

-There are very few months of the year in Chicago when the playing conditions are better outside than inside The Clubhouse and there will be bad weather days, long wait times and unpredictable play all times of the year at public facilities.

HOW CAN I PAY FOR MY MEMBERSHIP

-If you are joining as an annual member, you can pay in 1 installment or pay in 3 installments on day 1, 30 and 60.

-If you are joining as a monthly member, you will need to pay your initiation fee and 1st month membership fee on day 1. Thereafter, you will be billed your monthly membership fee on or around the 1st of each month.

CAN I CANCEL MY MEMBERSHIP

-Annual memberships are fully pre-paid and cannot be cancelled.

-Monthly memberships can be canceled at any time but require a 3 month minimum and you must give us 1+ month’s notice meaning, if you cancel on the 1st of January or the 31st of January, you are responsible for the February membership fee. If you want your last day of membership to be Jan 31, you must send us a cancellation notice by email to hi@pickleballclub.house no later than 12/31.

-Initiation fees are non-refundable and must be paid again if you re-join as a monthly member, and subject to availability at that time.

EXPLAIN HOW CREDITS WORK

Credits = 1:1 for dollars and can be used to pay the dollar rate for open play, and skill based events. After your credits are uses, you can continue booking the same things using dollars at your much discounted prcing, until your credits replenish the next month. If you join as an annual member, we give a 100% usage credit for every dollar you spend to be a member of The Pickleball Clubhouse - you are basically playing for free! Even as a monthly member, you still get usage credit for the membership fee! This is your club, you are a member here, that means something. Credits are not transferable, expire at the end of each month and refresh at the start of the next month.

GUEST PASSES

Fanatic level members have 2 included guest passes each month. These can be used for any non-member, for any 2 hour experience (open play, skill based play or private court reservation). The same guest may only come once per month.

WHAT KIND OF BOOKING RESTRICTIONS ARE THERE

-All memberships, including the Fanatic level are limited to no more than 2 active court reservations and 4 active event registrations at any one time i.e. if you have a court booked Thursday and Saturday, you cannot book another court until after your reservation on Thursday ends.

-Cancellations: All reservations have value, even if the cost is absorbed in your monthly membership fee or credits. Private court reservations require 48+ hour notice of cancellation and all other bookings: open play, skill play, etc. 24+ hour notice. If you cancel with less notice, you will be automatically charged the $ equivalent at your membership level, or the one below (if Fanatic). Please be considerate of your fellow members and staff by cancelling on time and expect to be charged if you do not provide sufficient notice, no exceptions.

UPSTAIRS AND FITNESS

There’s been lots of talk about the 2nd floor of the building and what we’re going to do up there. WSe’re ready. We have a plan for the layout, use and staffing of the space. In brief, you can expect the opportunity to stretch and work out personally in this space, take group fitness classes from our Director of Fitness + access to personal training that is tailored to the sport of pickleball. There will also be some combination of event space/lounge, locker rooms, showers and quiet, work space. This is coming soon and we hope will allow members to say goodbye to their current “gym” where they may be paying upwards of $500/month

WHAT IF I’M ALREADY A MEMBER? CAN I TRANSITION TO ONE OF THE NEW MEMBERSHIPS?

-Of course! You can transition from your current annual membership to any other annual membership.

-Any balance left on your existing membership will be applied to the new membership cost. Any additional balance due will be charged on the date of transition.

-The term of your existing membership will be applied to your new membership i.e. if your current membership expires on 2/10/25, so will your new membership.

IF I SIGN UP FOR A LOWER LEVEL MEMBERSHIP, CAN I UPGRADE?

-Yes, you can always upgrade your membership category from Casual to Game Changer and Game Changer to Fanatic and in all cases you can upgrade from monthly to annual membership, subject to availability. You are not able to downgrade a membership. Any amounts already paid will be applied to the upgrade + the balance due.