Big Orange Pickleball (BOP) will celebrate the grand opening of its new location with a ribbon-cutting ceremony performed by the Knoxville Chamber on Friday, November 1, at 10 a.m. The new facility is located at 7729 Strawberry Plains Pike. Light refreshments will be provided.
BOP is a state-of-the-art, multimillion-dollar facility designed to serve the growing demand for pickleball. As one of the premier indoor pickleball venues in the nation, BOP has been developed with valuable input from world-class players to create an unparalleled playing experience.
Owners are Wayne and Kim Hodge and John and Kelly Seivers. Key features of the facility include:
- Six SportMaster cushioned courts with six layers of rubber for longer, more comfortable play with less stress on the body.
- A climate-controlled environment (maintained between 68-71 degrees), ensuring a pleasant playing experience free of outdoor elements such as wind, rain and sun.
- Customized LED uplighting that reflects off the ceiling to create an even glow, optimizing ball tracking and reducing glare.
- 8-foot nets between courts to prevent interference from errant balls.
Cassie Quast (photo from social media)
Cassie Quast, a pickleball professional, is managing and teaching at BOP. She has played with and against some of the top pros and has experience with teaching tennis and pickleball players alike. She is a PPR Certified Pro and Wayne Hodge has attained his PPR associate coach certification as well.
Wayne and Kim Hodge are longtime local residents. Wayne gained a strong love for pickleball, but he did not enjoy driving 30-45 minutes across town to be able to play.
He and Kim purchased land and launched their own pickleball facility. “We are excited to be providing not only a convenient location for our local pickleball enthusiasts, but our facility goes beyond expectations by providing the comfort of climate control and the convenience of a pro shop in house,” the Hodges stated in a press release.
