Bottom line: Pickleball isn’t just another amenity — it is the game-changing feature that turns Great Living from a good project into an irresistible destination community.

 

Pickleball Memo: The Hands-Down Transformational Amenity

Pickleball is the single biggest differentiator and value-driver for the Great Living 55+ townhome community at GreatPLAY.

National Explosion Pickleball is America’s fastest-growing sport by a wide margin. In 2025, 24.3 million Americans played pickleball — a 22.8% jump in just one year and a staggering 171% increase over the past three years. Participation is projected to surpass 25 million in 2026. The sport’s appeal is especially strong among the 55+ demographic: it is low-impact, highly social, easy to learn, and addictive — the perfect blend of fitness, fun, and community for active adults who want more leisure time without the physical demands of tennis or other higher-intensity sports.

Topeka Market Reality Demand in Topeka is surging and growing exponentially, yet supply is still limited and fragmented.

• The city currently has only 13 locations offering a total of roughly 80 courts (mostly outdoor/public/shared facilities).
• The largest complex is Hughes Park (18 outdoor courts) — the biggest in the state — followed by Family Park (16 courts).
• Indoor and dedicated private or community courts are scarce. Many players rely on public parks, church gyms, or shared tennis-court conversions that are often fully booked, weather-dependent, or inconvenient.
• The Topeka Pickleball Association and local groups report courts are routinely full, with new players and tournaments driving even higher demand.

Why Pickleball Is the Home-Run Feature Converting existing gym space at GreatPLAY into dedicated, resident-only pickleball courts instantly transforms the entire project. It gives affluent GreatLIFE members something Topeka has never offered: convenient, private, year-round pickleball right outside their front door in a premium, maintenance-free environment.

No more driving across town, waiting for public courts, or dealing with weather. Residents step out and play — daily social games, friendly tournaments, or casual drop-ins — all within their own upscale community. This creates an immediate sense of belonging and daily lifestyle value that no other 55+ housing option in Topeka can match.

For the more affluent, leisure-focused buyers we are targeting, pickleball becomes the heartbeat of the community. It drives faster absorption, stronger word-of-mouth among existing GreatLIFE members, and clear justification for the premium pricing and positioning of Great Living as Topeka’s most desirable 55+ address.

Bottom line: Pickleball isn’t just another amenity — it is the game-changing feature that turns Great Living from a good project into an irresistible destination community.