St. Pete Athletic threw open its doors after three years spent planning and building. The sprawling 50,000-square-foot space houses 14 pickleball courts, two padel courts, six table tennis courts, a restaurant, three bars, a gym, a sauna, a cold plunge, and a fitness studio.
A pickleball tournament started things off Friday. Saturday brought a ribbon cutting with St. Pete Mayor Ken Welch, pickleball clinics, and mascots from local pro teams. Sunday? Wellness activities took center stage, including yoga and Pilates.
The club launched with 35,000 square feet available, which includes eight pickleball courts, the restaurant and bars, plus all clubhouse member perks. Come February, an attached building will add two more paddle courts and six additional pickleball courts.
“A lot of work has gone into it, dozens of people being involved,” said Reuben Pressman, one of the managing partners for St. Pete Athletic, according to FOX 13. “Our team is nearly 100 staff that we’ve hired to put the space together.”
The club did a soft opening on Dec. 11. Members only that first week. Memberships? Sold out. But the public can still visit and play.
“It’s amazing to be able to build something like this as like an amenity and a gift to the city, of course, but it’s really all about bringing the community together and, so, having a space that’s so multifaceted,” Pressman said.
Anyone can book a court through the app. During opening weekend, court fees were waived and no reservations were needed. Non-members pay $25 to play all day during weekdays and $40 on weekends. Court reservations started back up Monday.
You’ll find the spot at 680 28th St. South in St. Pete, just off the Pinellas Trail. Doors open at 5 a.m. and close at midnight, seven days a week.