December 20, 2024

Former pro tennis player opens indoor pickleball facility in Largo

December 20, 2024/ Veronica Brezina

An industrial warehouse-turned-pickleball facility for professionals and amateur players is opening in Largo.

Former tennis professional and native Brandon Anandan has converted a 10,400-square-foot building at 8116 Ulmerton Road into Dink House, an indoor four-court asphalt pickleball club for players at all levels.

"The transition from tennis to pickleball was easy," Anandan said to St. Pete Rising. "I found myself competing and winning tournaments. With the long wait times and people not playing properly and hurting themselves, I saw a need for a place like this."

After completing the courts years ago, Anandan has finally got the green light through the permitting process for the club, which is currently open.

July 11, 2024

Massive pickleball complex with restaurant and cocktail bar coming to St. Pete

July 11, 2024/ Veronica Brezina

A massive 45,000-square-foot sports entertainment venue opening in St. Pete early next year will feature pickleball courts, padel courts, table tennis, a full-service restaurant, and a cocktail bar.

St. Pete Athletic Paddle & Social Club has inked a lease at 2544 Fairfield Avenue South inside The Factory, a 90,000-square-foot arts and culture hub situated on the Pinellas Trail in the Warehouse Arts District.

The club will occupy 30,000 square feet of existing space on the west side of The Factory property and a new 15,000-square-foot building will be constructed to accommodate more pickleball courts.

St. Pete Athletic is the brainchild of serial entrepreneur Reuben Pressman and owner of Major League Pickleball’s Florida Smash Graham D’Amico, alongside key partners Jarrett Sabatini, owner of Intermezzo Coffee and Cocktails; and Nathan Stonecipher, owner of Green Bench Brewing.

May 14, 2024

39-acre youth sports park to undergo $23.5 million transformation in Pinellas Park

May 14, 2024/ Veronica Brezina

The aging athletic facilities and fields at Pinellas Park's youth sports center will be completely removed and a new upgraded sports campus will take its place.

A newly filed stormwater application permit calls for demolition of the existing 39-acre youth park site at 4100 66th Avenue North located just off U.S. Highway 19 and Interstate 275.

The park currently consists of three natural grass baseball fields, a tennis court, a roller hockey rink, visitor seating, and parking.