Former Dillard’s Space Under Contract for Possible Pickleball Facility in Aiken

A chunk of the old Aiken Mall is under contract. It might turn into an indoor pickleball spot. The building once housed part of a Dillard's department store at what's now called Aiken Towne Park.

"While nothing has been finalized yet, we are actively exploring whether the former Dillard's space could be the right fit and what a development like this could mean for the city long-term," wrote Dr. Troy Akers in a Feb. 4 email, per the Aiken Standard. "Our hope is to create a true year-round gathering place — a destination that blends recreation, connection, and community in a way that Aiken deserves."

Dr. Troy Akers works as an emergency medicine physician. He and his wife, Nancy, opened DiNK'D in 2024, which is an indoor pickleball club at Petersburg Shoppes on Furys Ferry Road in Augusta.

The Augusta spot "has quickly become a leader in the sport regionally," Akers wrote. DiNK'D ran a college pickleball tournament on Feb. 7. Seventeen teams showed up from schools like the University of Georgia, Clemson, Georgia Tech, Alabama, Truett McConnell, the University of South Carolina, and USC Aiken.

Akers spoke Feb. 3 at a community development session held at Woodside Country Club by Aiken City Council member Braylen Waldo, who represents District 5. "We've been incredibly encouraged by the excitement in Aiken around the possibility of bringing a premier indoor pickleball and community recreation destination to the area," Akers wrote.

Southeastern Development Associates is running the work on the old mall site. It sits on the Southside on Whiskey Road. The redone site now has stores, restaurants, apartments, and an amphitheater.