The pickleball center on South Bridge Street in Visalia hasn’t opened yet, but when it does it will be under new ownership.
Fresno-based developers Bill and Georgia Revilla signed a 10-year lease on the property on March 18, with plans for the site to be the first Dill Dinkers franchise in California.
Dill Dinkers is a growing national chain of pickleball centers that has been looking to expand into the Central Valley. The company announced in a July 29, 2025, press release that its goal is to open at least 10 locations in greater Fresno/Visalia area over the next 10 years.
“We’re very excited,” Bill Revilla said. “We’ve come to a very good lease, and we believe it’s mutually beneficial.”
Revilla said they plan to hit the ground running, adding that he has already hired a project manager who will start his company training in Baltimore.
“Hopefully we open, Lord willing, this summer,” he added. “I can’t tell you the exact month but, of course, it has a lot to do with the permitting process in Visalia. We do hope that the city of Visalia can see the great benefit that this facility will bring to the community, and being a great place for social gathering, connection, and to enjoy playing pickleball, network, and get healthy.”
The center will be scaled down from the original plan developed by now-retired businessman Johnny George.
“We’re only leasing the 31,000-square-foot facility, and that should be good enough for 11 courts,” Revilla said. “That’s also going to have a reception area with a cafe. It is set up for that, and it’s also going to have a pro shop.”
The center is expected to have cushioned courts and tournament-grade lighting, according to Revilla.
“All of our resources are being poured into two things,” Revilla explained. “Number one is the best employees, because we love people. We want to make sure that we take care of our people. And number two, we’re putting our resources where it really counts, and that is, of course, the quality of the courts and the lighting, just having the right amenities for the sake of the players.”
The George family, which owns the site and has completed most of the renovation, will be the commercial landlords. As tenants, the Revillas will have an option to renew their lease in 2036.
This article originally appeared on Visalia Times-Delta: Visalia lands California’s first Dill Dinkers pickleball franchise
Reporting by Steve Pastis, Visalia Times-Delta / Visalia Times-Delta
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
