Customer Spotlight: Shade Structures

Kloeckner Metals Corporation (KMC) partner Shade Structures (formerly USA Shade) recently completed a shade structure for the US Pickleball Championship. Pickleball is a sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis on a small court. The open air arena needed some shade to protect fans and participants from the hot Naples, Florida sun. The steel used in the structure came from none other than Kloeckner.

The biggest challenge of the project was the tight deadline. Shade Structures was first approached in December of 2016 for the tournament that occurred this April. It was a hard deadline, and the ESPN crews needed to have everything set so they could film the tournament. Shade Structures worked with Kloeckner to ensure the project was completed on time.

KMC Dallas has had a long relationship with Shade Structures and it is one of their biggest clients. They build different shade structures in places such as playgrounds, car dealerships (to cover the new cars), and arenas like the one used in the Pickleball Championship. Kloeckner helped provide the steel needed for the project and also did some fabrication work.

The event was a huge success. Whereas only 50 people stayed in the bleachers the previous year due to the sun, this year they were packed. The arenais a beauty to behold, and it is set to be a top destination in the sport for years to come. It will be used to host tournaments throughout the year and has become the new home of the US Open Pickleball Academy.