Meet SLAM Pickleball: A Family-Built Vision for Helotes

Welcome to the first Helotes Life Business Spotlight, an ongoing series where we introduce you to the people, passion, and stories behind the local businesses that help make our community special.

For our first feature, we are highlighting a local family bringing a new indoor pickleball experience to Helotes.

SLAM Pickleball is officially on the way.

Editor’s note: This interview was originally published while SLAM was targeting a mid-June 2026 opening. Construction has taken longer than originally anticipated, and the opening timeline has changed. Follow SLAM directly for the latest opening information.

MORE THAN PICKLEBALL

For Francis and LeAnn Dinh, this project is about much more than pickleball.

After spending more than two decades each working in the corporate world, including careers centered around banking and data analytics with companies like USAA, they reached a point where they wanted something different.

They wanted to build something of their own. Something active, community-focused, and rooted right here in Helotes.

“Pickleball quickly became something our whole family enjoyed,” they shared. “It allowed me and my older brothers to relive our youth of playing tennis in the 100 degree weather back in our younger days.”

Over time, the idea slowly evolved into something bigger.

As pickleball continued to grow, they realized Helotes could benefit from a dedicated indoor space where people of all skill levels could gather, play, and connect.

WHY HELOTES?

For Francis and LeAnn, there was never really another option besides Helotes.

“Helotes has been home for us for over 15 years,” they said. “We’ve raised our two boys here and truly love the charm and enormous potential this community has to offer.”

That connection to the community is at the heart of SLAM.

NOT JUST COURTS, BUT AN EXPERIENCE

Rather than simply creating a place to play, Francis and LeAnn say they are focused on building an experience centered around energy, connection, and inclusiveness.

“We’re focused on creating a comfortable, community-driven environment,” they explained. “Not just courts, but an experience people want to come back to.”

SLAM is being built for everyone.

Whether you are completely new to pickleball or have been playing for years, the goal is to create a welcoming atmosphere where anyone can jump in and have fun.

They say one thing people may not expect is just how approachable and inviting the environment will be, even for first-time players.

A PLACE TO CONNECT

Beyond the sport itself, Francis and LeAnn hope SLAM becomes a place where people in Helotes can genuinely connect.

“We hope SLAM becomes a place where people stay active, meet others, and feel like they belong.”

When asked what has been the most exciting part of the process so far, their answer came back to the community once again:

“Seeing the vision come to life and the support from the Helotes community.”

Building something completely new always comes with challenges, but they say the experience has been incredibly rewarding.

HEALTH, FAMILY, COMMUNITY, AND FUN

As Helotes continues to grow, it is exciting to see local families investing back into the community and creating spaces designed to bring people together.

One final note from Francis and LeAnn sums up the heart behind SLAM:

“The goal and focus is on health, family, community, and fun. Yes, we are a pickleball facility, but we want to be much more than that.”

Their vision includes giving back to the community and creating events beyond pickleball, such as yoga and Pilates in the courtyard, Christmas tree lighting, movie nights, fundraisers, and more.

WELCOME TO HELOTES, SLAM

Welcome to Helotes, SLAM Pickleball. We are excited to see what’s ahead.

Follow SLAM Pickleball Club through its official website and social media pages for current construction progress, opening information, and upcoming announcements.

Website: https://slampickleballclub.com/

A huge thank you to Francis and LeAnn for taking the time to share their story with Helotes Life. We truly appreciate it and cannot wait to see SLAM open its doors to the community.