Managing natural gas costs for a 100,000-square-foot sports and entertainment complex takes more than a one size fits all approach to energy procurement. Bosse in Natick, Massachusetts, with 21 pickleball courts, multiple dining options, a sports theater, golf simulators, and a darts lounge, is much more than a typical pickleball facility.
The scale and variety of the operation set Bosse apart. Guests can move from the pickleball courts to an Italian restaurant, café, or sports lounge, without leaving the building. Behind the scenes, the kitchen adds another layer of complexity. Staff make nearly everything in-house, from sauces to baked goods.
“There are a lot of different activities here,” says Robert Burns, Controller at Bosse. “If you go to another pickleball facility, it’s usually just pickleball and maybe some food. Having all of these different amenities is what makes Bosse different.”
Keeping an operation of that size running means managing staffing, food preparation, entertainment, facility needs, and expenses across the business. For Burns, controlling costs wherever possible is an important part of that responsibility, including the facility’s energy expenses.
“Our natural gas usage is usually pretty predictable,” Burns says. “It’s still something I want to control as much as possible. That includes operational things like making sure everything is shut off at night, as well as making sure we’re getting the right pricing.”
A Different Approach to Managing Natural Gas Costs
When Burns joined Bosse in May 2025, the facility was already under an electricity contract, but its natural gas was being purchased directly through the utility without a supply contract.
An introduction through the Massachusetts Restaurant Association eventually connected Bosse with Sprague. From there, Burns began working with the Sprague team to explore opportunities to manage the facility’s natural gas costs differently.
“For me, as the controller, cost was probably the biggest factor,” Burns explains. “But the relationship and customer service were important too.”
That relationship became particularly valuable as Burns evaluated different purchasing strategies. Rather than pushing Bosse toward a particular contract, Sprague presented different scenarios and helped Burns understand the potential advantages and risks of each option.
“The Sprague team gives me different scenarios and options,” Burns says. “They’ll even guide me (on market timing) and say, ‘You probably don’t need to do this right now.’”
That flexibility allows Bosse to make purchasing decisions based on its operation and the market rather than feeling pressure to commit to a strategy that may not make sense at the time.
The approach proved valuable during the winter, when Bosse locked in natural gas pricing for five months.
“Looking at what happened this past winter, it was definitely a good thing that we did what we did,” Burns says. “We locked in pricing for five months, and I’m glad we did because otherwise we would have been paying a lot more.”
With natural gas usage and costs increasing during colder months, Burns and Sprague continue to evaluate when fixed pricing could make sense and when maintaining flexibility may be the better approach.
More Confidence, Less Time Thinking About Energy
The day-to-day process with Sprague is straightforward, from receiving invoices electronically, to getting questions answered when something is unclear. For Burns, that responsiveness is one of the biggest differentiators of the relationship.
“A lot of companies can probably give you similar pricing, but Sprague is responsive,” Burns says. “If I reach out and say, ‘I don’t understand this. Can you explain it?’ Our Sprague representative asks whether I want them to come in or go over it on the phone. They make sure I understand things, especially when it comes to billing.”
That support matters most when contracts, pricing, and energy bills get complicated. Instead of just handing over a contract, Sprague walks Burns through the options and helps him decide what makes sense for Bosse right now. “I know I’ll get the best customer service and pricing,” Burns says.
Today, managing natural gas is one less operational responsibility Burns needs to spend significant time worrying about. “I don’t really have to think about it,” he says. With his energy costs handled, he can focus on what matters most.
From evaluating market conditions, to providing flexible purchasing options and responsive support, Sprague helps Bosse manage its natural gas costs with more confidence. That gives the team one less thing to worry about while they focus on running a one-of-a-kind sports, dining, and entertainment destination.
Interested in seeing how Sprague can help your business? Reach out to our team today.
