‘Optimistic’ until the end, Boise indoor pickleball club closed after eviction
A Boise indoor pickleball club closed earlier this month when the business was evicted from its facility for falling behind on its rent, which was more than $30,000 per month.
S2 Pickleball opened in the former Bed, Bath & Beyond building at 3615 S. Federal Way in 2024. With nine courts, the facility became home for many who enjoyed America’s fastest-growing sport. It stayed in business for over two years before the company that owns the property, The Family Center at Federal Way LLC, sent an eviction notice to S2 Pickleball & Racquet Club LCC in April.
The club was founded by brothers Jake and Zach Spencer, who previously told the Idaho Statesman that they fell in love with the sport and wanted to bring a space for the pickleball community here. The two brothers live out of state but have strong connections to Idaho, their parents’ home state.
Zach Spencer told the Statesman he is anxious to see what the future may hold for indoor pickleball in the Boise area, which has seen an explosion in facilities, players and interest over the past few years.
“While this chapter at Federal Way is coming to a close, we’re not giving up on S2. We are actively searching for a new home and moving quickly to explore every opportunity available,” a message on S2’s website states.
Spencer said they had been in discussions with the landlord and a possible buyer, and was a little surprised by the eviction notice, but the landlord said the overdue rent piled up too much.
Attorney says S2 built up a ‘significant outstanding balance’
The eviction process began in April, when The Family Center decided to take action after S2 Pickleball accrued a “significant outstanding balance” owed, the company’s attorney, Blake Ringer, told the Statesman in an email.
The eviction complaint filed on April 24 shows that S2 Pickleball’s lease agreement had a $30,333.33 monthly rent, and the club started falling behind last August. From then until April, S2 racked up a balance owed of $95,604.59, the company said.
According to the document, S2 Pickleball was served with a five-day notice of default on April 2, and a three-day pay or vacate notice on April 13. The complaint states that S2 did not pay the balance following the notice.
Both parties appeared in court on May 5 for a hearing. According to court minutes, Spencer stated that he needed to obtain an attorney, and a second hearing was set for May 7. Spencer did not appear for that hearing.
Presiding over the case, Magistrate Judge Fafa Alidjani entered a default judgment that ordered S2 Pickleball to vacate the property. A writ of eviction was then sent to the Ada County Sheriff’s Office on May 27.
S2 was ‘optimistic’ until the very end
Spencer told the Statesman that S2 Pickleball had to leave by June 4, and he announced to members on June 2 that it was their last day. Spencer said they tried to remain optimistic and were in discussions with The Family Center to come up with an agreement during what he described as slow months.
The summer months generally were tougher for S2, with slower growth as pickleball players opted to go outside, Spencer said.
“Initially we went to the landlord and explained the situation, explained a little bit of the growth and the business model, and they were willing to work with us, and said, OK, let’s see what we can do,” according to Spencer.
He also said that a national pickleball chain was interested in buying S2, taking over the lease, servicing existing memberships and maintaining the same staff, and those conversations were ongoing up until the eviction notice.
“We were still very optimistic up until the very end that there was going to be an option to avoid this type of result,” Spencer said. “Up until the very last day, there still was a probability that we could avoid the eviction and the closure.”
Ringer told the Statesman that The Family Center was “extremely patient” with S2, hoping to avoid eviction. “It ultimately became apparent that S2 would not cover the overdue balance and an eviction was necessary,” he said.
Ringer said The Family Center at Federal Way hopes to have the space open again soon with a new tenant.
Some pickleball club members were frustrated, some still offered support
Spencer said they were met with members’ natural disappointment and frustration over the closure, as well as kind letters and support.
Some monthly members were charged up until the last day, but Spencer said they have since gone through and refunded June monthly payments, as well as refunding those who signed up and paid for private lessons, clinics and camps.
Annual members were given the opportunity to move their membership to another indoor pickleball club in the Treasure Valley, The Flying Pickle, which has locations in Meridian and Nampa, he said, working with Flying Pickle CEO Paul Starita. Spencer said more than 70 of their annual members took up that offer.
As of closing date, S2 had just over 380 total memberships, including annual and monthly, according to Spencer.
Spencer and the S2 team “poured their heart and soul” into keeping the pickleball club alive, he said, and are sad it ended this way.
“The incredible pickleball community that we were able to have a part in building makes us really proud and happy to see what was built,” Spencer said. “To see the amount of the amount of support and community was built in just a short time was really incredible.”
