Serving Up Something Big
Greystone Pickleball Club: Built for Community. Delivered by Craftsmanship.
On North Opdyke Road in Auburn Hills, a 60,500-square foot facility now stands as one of Southeast Michigan’s premier year-round pickleball destinations.
But behind the 17 indoor courts, patio bar, upstairs lounge and full-service kitchen is a story of strategic site work, perseverance through Michigan weather and the leadership of ABC SEMI member Kemp Building & Development.
Greystone Pickleball Club was founded by a group of friends who share a deep love for the sport. After considering three potential locations, they selected Auburn Hills and committed to building something from scratch—a true ground-up project designed to serve players across the region.
When construction began in July 2024, the site presented immediate challenges. What appeared to be a clean slate quickly revealed poor soil conditions, buried concrete and construction debris scattered throughout the property.
Rather than slow the vision, Kemp’s team leaned into the problem-solving process. Site Project Superintendent Tom Strayhorn played a critical role in navigating those early site conditions, coordinating the cleanup and field operations that allowed the project to move forward safely and efficiently.
“This one pushed us outside our usual industrial lane, but that’s the kind of challenge we embrace,” said Tommy Kemp, project engineer at Kemp Building & Development. “With strong partners and a focused team, we turned a blank site into something that’s going to make an impact.”
After extensive site cleanup, crews began installing footings using Rammed Aggregate Piers to establish a stable, long-term foundation. By November, freezing conditions made the ground unworkable, forcing a pause until spring—a reality of building in Michigan that requires both patience and planning.
When work resumed in April 2025, Kemp accelerated progress with precision scheduling and tight coordination of trades. Within ten months, the structure was fully erected and enclosed by January 2026. Interior build-out followed rapidly, transforming steel and concrete into a vibrant, hospitality-driven sports facility in just a matter of weeks.
“Once we were able to get back on site and regain momentum, the structure went up quickly and we shifted our focus to bringing the owners’ vision to life,” said Danny Plantus, project manager at Kemp Building & Development. “Seeing the space transform each week was incredibly rewarding — especially watching the owners’ excitement grow. They were ready to move in furniture and personal touches the moment they had the opportunity.”
The finished facility is more than just a place to play. In addition to 17 professional-grade indoor courts, Greystone features an outdoor patio and court-side bar, an upstairs lounge with bar service, and a lower level kitchen with a grab-and-go food and beverage counter—creating a social environment that blends sport and hospitality.
Owner Kathleen McInerney played a hands-on role in shaping that atmosphere. She oversaw finishing selections and décor throughout the building and contributed original artwork to personalize the space.
“We wanted this to feel welcoming the moment someone walks in. Kemp understood that this wasn’t just about building courts—it was about building an experience. They helped us turn our vision into something even better than we imagined,” said McInerney.
For Kemp Building & Development, the Greystone project represents more than another commercial build—it highlights the value of experienced leadership, adaptable field management and collaboration with ownership from concept to completion.
From clearing compromised soil to navigating seasonal delays and delivering a 60,500-square-foot complex in a condensed timeline, Kemp led the project with the steady execution that defines strong merit shop contractors.
Today, Greystone Pickleball Club stands as both a recreational landmark and a testament to what’s possible when entrepreneurial vision meets disciplined construction leadership.
