First Look at St. Pete Athletic: The massive 45,000-square-foot sports and social club coming to St. Pete

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First Look at St. Pete Athletic: The massive 45,000-square-foot sports and social club coming to St. Pete

A 45,000-square-foot industrial space tucked in St. Pete's Warehouse Arts District will become a massive urban country club featuring 14 pickleball courts, a private social club, bars, and much more.

Construction workers are actively building the new bougie paddle sports club dubbed the St. Pete Athletic Paddle & Social, located at 680 28th Street South inside The Factory, a 90,000-square-foot arts and culture hub situated on the Pinellas Trail.

The club, as first reported in 2024, is slated to open later this year to both members and the public. It will occupy 30,000 square feet of existing space on the west side of The Factory property and 15,000 square feet in a new building to accommodate more pickleball courts.

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Pickleball is coming to the St. Pete Pier

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Pickleball is coming to the St. Pete Pier

Pickleball courts are coming to the St. Pete Pier thanks to a collaboration between the City of St. Petersburg and St. Pete Athletic, a local group bringing a 45,000-square-foot athletic and social club to the Warehouse Arts District this spring.

For two months, from January 17th to March 16th, two pickleball courts will be set up at 660 2nd Avenue NE near the Pier’s splash pad for everyone of all skill levels to enjoy.

“We are thrilled to parter with the City on this exciting initiative that furthers our mission to promote active, social lifestyles in St. Petersburg,” said Founder of St. Pete Athletic Reuben Pressman in a conversation with St. Pete Rising. “We cannot wait for St. Pete residents and visitors to enjoy playing pickleball on the beautiful downtown waterfront with the St. Pete skyline in the background.”

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Former pro tennis player opens indoor pickleball facility in Largo

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Former pro tennis player opens indoor pickleball facility in Largo

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.

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New indoor pickleball facilities are coming to St. Pete

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New indoor pickleball facilities are coming to St. Pete

Tampa Bay pickleball enthusiasts will soon have more indoor courts to choose from as a growing pickleball club franchise has inked a deal to expand to the Sunshine City.

St. Pete residents Kevin and Lisa Goettel have signed on to bring Dill Dinkers, a Columbia, Maryland-based chain of pickleball clubs, to Pinellas County.

Founded in 2022 by pickleball enthusiasts Will and Denise Richards (no, not that Denise Richards), Dill Dinkers was born from the founders’ frustration with weather-related disruptions, long wait times, and mixed-use facilities that were not ideal for pickleball play.

The local husband-and-wife team plan to open at least 10 Dill Dinkers pickleball clubs throughout the county, spanning from St. Petersburg to Tarpon Springs.

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