Orlando business owner trades nightclub for pickleball club

ORLANDO, Fla – So a nightclub owner walks into an Orlando pickleball facility. No, this is not the start of one of those riddles – this is the start of a Central Florida success story.

For 38 years, John Gardner was the owner of an iconic dance spot in downtown Orlando called Barbarella. It was known for its 80s/new wave vibe – but in 2021, amid the pandemic, the music went silent.

“I did not want to retire,” Gardner said. “The club downtown started to look like I was going to have to close that and I’m going I have to say busy.”

With extra time on his hands, he picked up America’s fastest-growing sport, pickleball, playing day after day at ClearOne Sports Centre, an indoor pickleball facility in Orlando. When he found out the place was for sale, he said it was a no-brainer to buy it.

“I only played 30 times before I found it was for sale and decided this is for me, and I’m going to buy the place, and that was two years ago,” said Gardner.

Gardner says the facility was recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic and losing money when he bought it in 2022, and he admits his purchase didn’t lead to an immediate turnaround. Two years later, however, Gardner said revenues are up 80% and attendance is steadily increasing.

“We used to do about 120 people, I think, per day, and now it’s up to around 200 people per day, so it has grown pretty well,” said Gardner.

The facility itself has also undergone several improvements. They include upgrading the plumbing in the bathrooms, enhancing the massive air conditioning system and pouring two new permanent courts, bringing the total to 13.

So what does the future hold for ClearOne? Gardner said he’s sticking around.

“I’m here to stay,” Gardner said. “I’m not going anywhere. I’m having the time of my life.”

In case you were wondering: Gardner hasn’t left his nightclub roots behind completely. Every Saturday night, ClearOne hosts an 80s/new wave dance party — an ode to Gardner’s downtown Orlando nightclub.

ClearOne Sports Center is located at 4141 John Young Pkwy. It offers open play, ladder leagues, tournaments, lessons and more. There is also badminton.

Learn more here.

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