Construction is about to ramp up at the site of a 35,000 square-foot pickleball venue in northeast Wichita.

The pre-engineered metal building components for TapNPaddles, a new concept from owners Mike and Kelli Ventling, are set to arrive later this week at the District 96 development just north of K-96 at Oliver and 35th Street.

From there, Mike Ventling said the structure can start going up.

Ventling said the team should know more by the end of May, but he’s targeting a September or October soft opening for the facility, which will feature 12 indoor pickleball courts, an event space and a full-service bar and restaurant.

“Initially, we were thinking Aug. 1, but that kind of went out the window when January produced exactly four working days for construction,” said Ventling, a Maize resident, who noted the permitting process also took longer than anticipated. “It was a nightmare month for weather.”

Under a conditional permit, Ventling was able to start moving dirt in February. In late March, TapNPaddles received its full permit — with a $2.5 million valuation — allowing for construction to advance.

As he navigates his first commercial building project, Ventling said he’s ready to provide a unique, high-quality pickleball option for both veteran players and those new to the sport.

“Player experience is really what we’re all about. That’s our mission,” he said. “We’re here not to make a fortune. We’re here to grow pickleball and create a player experience that people want to come back to.”

The courts will be built to USA Pickleball standards, with Ventling highlighting that he’s paying a premium for details such as lighting that provides nearly zero glare.

“That’s kind of our philosophy — to create it, make it pro level, and everybody from beginner on up is going to enjoy playing there,” said Ventling, a pickleball player himself.

Greening Construction Inc., based in the Wichita area, is the general contractor.

Tomas Hoyos, a research scholar at Texas A&M University, is helping with the design, recently completing exterior renderings. Ventling said Hoyos has worked with other pickleball clubs, which is how he got connected with him.

TapNPaddles will offer both memberships and options for non-members. A “training academy” will include free introductory courses for those wanting to learn pickleball.

The pickleball facility will include a pro shop, member locker rooms and a large covered outdoor patio. TapNPaddles will also have UV black lights for a cosmic pickleball option.

Ventling said the restaurant will offer traditional bar fare and healthier options. He said he is working with a distributor, who he declined to name, on the concept.

“We really want to make it convenient for players in between playing to eat and drink,” Ventling said.

Meanwhile, the event space will have overhead door access to the courts — so users can integrate pickleball into events, as desired — and a kitchen with a smoker.

“The kitchen design (is such) that a culinary-trained chef, let’s say, would walk into that kitchen and say, ‘I’ve got everything I need’,” Ventling said

While it won’t likely occur in 2024, Ventling said he hopes the venue can host local and regional amateur pickleball tournaments. The ability to do so, he said, is aided by TapNPaddles’ location just off of K-96 and with two hotels — Aloft Hotel and Extended Stay America — also within Great Plains Ventures’ 100-acre District 96 development.

Ventling said he believes the space at 4956 E. 35th St. North could “comfortably” host up to 400 tournament participants.

“The location is near perfect,” said Ventling, who added that connecting well with the Great Plains team was another key reason for landing at District 96.

InSite Real Estate Group’s Levi Iseman represented TapNPaddles on the land purchase, while Brett Harris of Landmark Commercial Real Estate, which works with Great Plains on District 96, repped the owner.

TapNPaddles is due to arrive as new businesses continue to flow into District 96, including Natasha Gandhi-Rue’s second The Kitchen restaurant, set to open this spring.

As the city’s plans for a $6-million South Lakes pickleball complex are now in flux, Ventling said he’s looking forward to bringing another pickleball option to a region that he believes has the demand for it.

“What we’re hoping to build is an atmosphere with a lot of energy, a lot of excitement and a lot of enthusiasm,” he said. “You can be competitive and still have fun with the sport. That’s what makes it really kind of unique — and that’s kind of the atmosphere we want.”