RacFit opened in Buda in May, offering a new space for people of all skill levels to play racquet sports such as tennis and pickleball. (Sierra Martin/Community Impact)
A community-driven tennis and pickleball facility and social club recently opened in Buda, giving residents a new fitness space.
RacFit opened May 4 and celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Greater Buda Chamber of Commerce on June 25. With a footprint of 6 acres, outdoor courts and 22,000 square feet of indoor space, the facility offers a large range of amenities to the community.
The framework
Grant Chambers, Brad Harris, John Hernandez, Blake Hutchinson and Michael MacVay are the Central Texas-based owners behind RacFit. When they began the process of making their dreams of RacFit a reality, they started searching the Austin area for potential locations, but narrowed their sights on Buda to fill a need they saw in the fast-growing community.
“What I've seen is that when cities grow fast, their park and their health and wellness structural environments lag behind. And so we thought this was an ideal area—with literally tens of thousands of people moving to the area—that we believe need and want what we're doing,” Chambers said.
Chambers said that everyone involved in starting the new fitness center has seen the positive impact that tennis and pickleball have had on the mental and physical health of those who participate in the sport.
“What I think about every day is the impact it's had on us,” Chambers said. “We now, as a provider, get to have [that impact] on other people.”
RacFit sits on 6 acres in Buda, featuring a range of indoor, outdoor and covered courts. (Sierra Martin/Community Impact)
Zooming in
RacFit offers a range of amenities to members and those dropping in to play, including:
Eight tennis courts, two of which are indoors and open to the public
Eight pickleball courts
A fitness center, which offers classes such as Zumba and yoga
Summer sports camps
A full bar called the Courtside Cantina
Onsite childcare
Food trucks
A pro shop to purchase equipment and accessories
Locker rooms
Monthly socials
Memberships are available, but not required. All sports courts and amenities are open to the public for a drop-in fee, excluding the two public tennis courts. Members have access to fitness classes, alongside open play, lessons and clinics for tennis and pickleball, according to RacFit officials.
Digital sports can also be found in the indoor facility, featuring a 13-foot gaming wall that uses real pickleball or tennis balls and racquets for various games, similar to golf simulation programs that have gained popularity in the region, but for racquet sports.
The digital sports room features various racquet games that people can play on a 13-foot screen. (Sierra Martin/Community Impact)
The fitness center already has members ranging in age from 5 years old all the way up to 100 years old, according to Chambers.
The cause
The group also started a nonprofit organization to give back to the community. The RacFit Foundation helps support underserved children who can’t afford to play or learn tennis or pickleball, by paying for their equipment, camps, lessons or clinics.
One of the founding principles of RacFit—building community—has already taken hold, according to Harris, who also serves as RacFit's director of adult tennis.
“I've seen a lot of people meeting new people, and they're becoming friends with them and building those relationships, building community,” Harris said.
