This South Milwaukee facility could transition from indoor soccer to a pickleball club

South Milwaukee may soon offer indoor pickleball.

The owners of South Side Soccer, 305 N. Chicago Ave. converted a former AMF bowling alley into an indoor soccer facility for kids a few years ago.

It is no longer operating as such, according to City Administrator Patrick Brever, and is instead transitioning to pickleball.

The city received a concept plan on July 23 from Guriqbal Singh Sra of Chicago Ave., LLC, the property owner, to repurpose the building’s 40,000 square-foot interior into 12 pickleball courts, two smaller event rooms, a restaurant inside the existing lounge (operated by a third party) and a small fitness room, according to South Milwaukee Economic Development Manager Ericka Lang.

Tentatively called the Premier Pickleball Club, the owner plans to offer open play, instruction, clinics and tournaments through a partnership with the Southwestern Association of Pickleball, according to the business plan filed with the city.

Membership plans could range from basic and standard options to premium, family, senior, corporate and special instructor memberships. These levels would offer various amenities from access to open play during all business hours, free or discounted court rentals, monthly guest passes, free entry to tournaments, pro shop discounts, complimentary towel service and more.

The facility is expected to be open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

The business plan mentions potential collaborations with local businesses and schools to promote healthy lifestyles and pickleball.

Past problems with the property

The property has had some issues recently that required police department involvement, Brever said.

A May 27 report to the South Milwaukee Plan Commission from South Milwaukee Police Lt. Jason Walker listed numerous complaints and violations.

There were three noise complaints in June and July 2023, a September 2023 traffic complaint of a vehicle doing donuts in the parking lot, multiple disorderly conduct complaints, abandoned and suspicious vehicle reports from 2024, and a liquor violation in May 2024.

There was also a battery complaint in February that involved players and parents where, according to Walker, the father of one player allegedly bit the coach’s finger, leading to stiches and a lost fingernail. The Milwaukee County District Attorney declined to prosecute the case because there were no independent witnesses, the report said.

In addition to these issues, some parts of the property have fallen into disrepair.

“The property is in great need of attention as half the parking lot is crumbling and other deferred maintenance items,” Lang said. “The city is enthusiastic about this proposal as well as the community.”

Brever said the property owner has publicly acknowledged “operational changes needed to be made.”

The new use requires a conditional use permit. A public hearing on the submissions is scheduled for Aug. 27.

Contact Erik S. Hanley at erik.hanley@jrn.com . Like his Facebook page, The Redheadliner , and follow him on X @Redheadliner .

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: This South Milwaukee facility could transition from indoor soccer to a pickleball club