Construction of a new building on East Industrial Road has been approved to become a privately-owned recreational complex featuring indoor and outdoor pickleball and padel courts.

The project, approved by Branford’s Planning and Zoning Commission (PZC) in October 2023, allows for new construction of All World Pickle and Padel at 61 East Industrial Road. The project required zoning special exceptions for indoor/outdoor recreational use and grading.

The applicant also owns the abutting property at 57 East Industrial Road. Architect Gerry Panico, representing the applicant, shared architectural renderings with the PZC including those showing a 21,760 square-foot building with indoor and outdoor courts.

Pickleball is an extremely popular sport among adults, and the next trend in America is anticipated to be padel, said Panico, speaking to the PZC.

“Padel is a new sport we're bringing to the U.S. It’s very popular in Europe and South America. It’s a mix of pickleball, tennis, and racketball,” said Panico.

Padel courts are surrounded with glass walls and are larger than pickleball courts.

Branford Economic and Business Development Manager Perry Maresca spoke in favor of the project. He said he has seen the plans and, together with First Selectman Jamie Cosgrove, had met with the project principals at the site to learn more about the concept.

“It is very impressive, what they want to do, especially where they want to do it,” said Maresca. “Pickleball is very popular. We do have the outdoor courts at Foote Park that get used quite a bit. There’s a lot of private clubs that have gone full-fledge into pickleball, and indoor is definitely needed. So the indoor and outdoor would be ideal.”

Locating the Branford facility on East Industrial Road, which is slated to be upgraded through a federal grant, is another positive, said Maresca. In 2022, Branford was awarded a $2.25 million federal grant to fund the full reconstruction of East Industrial Road, from Leetes Island Road to the southbound Interstate 95 exit ramps.

“I think the location of this is ideal. We can bring players in from other towns and it will have little to no effect on our roads and traffic,” said Maresca.

Additionally, its location in relation to surrounding businesses, including Branford’s bio-tech and life-science industries, is a positive, said Maresca.

“I’m sure employees of those surrounding businesses will take part in it and enjoy it, and it’s just one more addition to the way of life that we’re so proud of here in Branford,” said Maresca.