“Partnering with Ground Rule is exciting and establishes a critical infrastructure pillar for the future of pickleball,” said Carl Schmits, Chief Technical Officer of USA Pickleball. “Ground Rule serves as an initial qualifying and planning resource for owner/operators, developers, and communities seeking to launch new facilities, helping vet projects for scope and viability while providing feasibility studies, design guidance, and owner’s representation. This partnership gives facility owners access to a trusted development pathway that mirrors the kind of venue-services expertise seen in other major national sports organizations.”
Ground Rule offers a wide range of facility planning and project management services and is committed to being a trusted adviser to USA Pickleball, prospective facility owners, and facility operators nationwide. Among Ground Rule’s deliverables is a Feasibility Study, a foundational planning document for any project. To ensure that owners have the information needed to determine project viability, obtain funding, and design and program the proposed facility, Ground Rule utilizes its subject-matter expertise and a customized data analytics process to deliver a comprehensive report.
Ground Rule also provides Owner’s Representative services, following the completion of a Feasibility Study. As an extension of the owner(s), Ground Rule is available to oversee the entire project from start to finish, ensuring every decision is made with your best interests and goals in mind. Ground Rule develops the project budget and schedule, and manages everything from site selection, permitting, design, and estimates, through construction management, and quality control. No matter the project, the owner maintains decision making authority throughout.
Ground Rule offers comprehensive Partnership Advisory Services, which encompass consulting, strategy, and activation. These efforts are strategically designed to bolster fundraising and brand awareness by properly identifying and valuing sponsorship assets, building comprehensive prospect lists, and developing high-level sales collateral, such as vision decks and partnership proposals. Ground Rule also frequently works with clients on Risk Management services to minimize the impact of risks on productivity, time, earnings, and stakeholders. Deliverables for this area often include standard operating procedures (SOPs), facility manuals, checklists, instructional materials, and essential product and market research.
“This partnership with USAP represents a major step forward in supporting the growth of pickleball nationwide,” said Wes Cosgriff, CEO of Ground Rule. “By combining our expertise with USAP’s leadership in the sport, we’re empowering facility owners and operators with the tools, guidance, and funding pathways they need to successfully develop and sustain high-quality pickleball facilities.”
Communities, municipalities, and facility owners interested in developing new pickleball facilities can begin their planning journey by completing the USAP-Ground Rule Facility Development Survey or completing the Facility Development and Construction contact page. Learn more about the Ground Rule network of companies at groundrule.com.
