Pickleball Athletic Club Coming to Downtown Saint Petersburg

St. Petersburg, FL - A new full-scale pickleball athletic club, St Pete Athletic, is coming to downtown St. Petersburg. The club will feature 16 professional courts (including 9 indoor, a first for Tampa Bay), a full-service restaurant and bar, and a range of amenities including lockers, showers, a pro shop, gym equipment, and green space. St Pete Athletic will offer all-access memberships, as well as hourly and daily public access for both local residents and visiting players.

The club is being established in response to the recent nationwide growth of pickleball (36.5M players from Aug ‘21 - Aug ‘22 according to a new APP study), as well as a growing demand for local courts and social opportunities in the area. Currently, there are few pickleball courts in St. Petersburg, and no location with more than six courts. These existing courts are isolated in city parks and lack amenities such as restrooms and lighting, making it difficult for new players and families to participate in the sport.

St Pete Athletic will change that by providing a centralized hub for the local pickleball community. The club will host events, tournaments for recreational to professional, and classes for all ages, and will also provide kids' programs, access to professional players, and opportunities for birthday and corporate parties. In addition to pickleball, St Pete Athletic will also offer Table Tennis and Padel, the fastest-growing sport in the world.

The club is being brought to life and backed by a talented and experienced team of local entrepreneurs, investors, and pickleball players who struck a deal with Jonathan Daou, a real estate developer who owns the land. The team includes Reuben Pressman, former founder and CEO of Presence and former EIR for the City of Saint Petersburg who will be the Managing Operator; Travis Rettenmaier, #12 pickleball pro in the world and co-owner of the MLP Florida Smash will be the Resident Pro; and Jarrett Sabatini, founder of Intermezzo Coffee & Cocktails, will also be involved.

In addition to the athletic club, a proposed boutique hotel is also in the works on the property, allowing tournament players and visitors to stay and play in the heart of downtown St. Petersburg.

"We are thrilled to bring this much-needed facility to downtown St. Petersburg," said Reuben Pressman, Managing Operator of St Pete Athletic. "Our goal is to create a community hub for pickleball players of all ages and abilities, and to bring the sport to a wider audience through tournaments, classes, and social events."

St Pete Athletic is expected to open its doors later this year.

Details coming soon
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