THE
USPS Publication Number 16300
SUMMATIONW Weekly eekly
This Community Newspaper is a publication of the Escambia-Santa Rosa Bar Association
S E RV I N G T H E F I RS T J U D I C I A L C I RC U I T Vol. 23, No. 1
January 4, 2023
SummationWeekly.com
1 Section, 10 Pages
Section A, Page 1
PRESENTING “PROJECT PICKLE” CITY COUNCIL TO VOTE ON INDOOR-SPORTS FACILITY PROPOSAL By Darien Hardy
D
ation facilities. Because pickleball can be played both indoors
id you know that
and outdoors, it is an accessi-
pickleball is the fast-
ble option for all types of recre-
est growing sport in
ational facilities.
the United States? For those
As a matter of fact, the sport
of you who are unfamiliar with
of pickleball is gaining even more
pickleball, it’s basically a mash-
momentum here in Pensacola as
up of tennis, badminton and
Mayor D.C. Reeves and the City
ping-pong. The game is played
work to have “Project Pickle”
with a paddle and a plastic ball
voted on and approved by City
with holes.
Council by early January.
Pickleball’s increasing popu-
“Project Pickle’’ is a proposal
larity can be attributed to several
for the construction of an indoor
factors. First, the game is ideal
sports facility that would include
for all skill levels. Since pickle-
modular courts for a variety of
ball’s rules are like that of ping-
sports, including the ever-popu-
pong, it’s easy for most people to
lar pickleball. The proposal is to
pick up on how to play the game.
bring the facility to the currently
Pickleball offers something for
vacant Port of Pensacola Ware-
a long-term lease agreement for
the private sector, the building
to-city connection and visitor
beginners who might want to
house No. 4. President of White-
the Warehouse No. 4 building. As
will need to be brought up to
experiences. The facility will
try their hand at a fun new game,
sell-Green Construction and
the facility gets off the ground,
code standards and redeveloped.
also have a wide-spread impact
seasoned players looking for
the proposed developer for the
the lease will need to have lower
Then, the updated facility will
on the community. According to
more competitive play and just
project, Rob Fabbro and local
payments for the first few years,
be open to the community and
the UWF Haas Center, this facil-
about everyone in between.
attorney Scott Remington first
which the City must approve.
other visitors for day-use, tour-
ity can create up to $28 million
naments, league play and multi-
in economic impact in the first
Also, pickleball is a fun
presented their vision for the
social activity. The courts are
new facility to the City Council
ity have been in effect months
ple other purposes. The facility
six years. There are internal esti-
small enough for players to hold
back in early November.
prior to Reeves’s swearing in
will continue to be funded via
mates of more than $2 million in
membership fees.
annual tourism revenue.
Negotiations for the facil-
conversations, and the game can
Warehouse 4 Sports, the
ceremony in November. One
be played with a dozen people
proposed name for the new
problem the council faces is
Finally, in a later phase of
“I think Project Pickle has
per session. If you’re looking to
facility, would serve as a multi-
that the Warehouse No. 4 is
the project, the proposed facility
a chance to be a catalyst for
bond with your family or have an
purpose space, which could
located behind a security fence,
building will include a 400-seat
economic development and
outing with friends, pickleball
be used for different types of
so the fenceline will need to be
arena that can be used for tour-
prosperity for the city of Pensac-
makes it easy to socialize while
indoor and outdoor sports as
relocated or redesigned before
nament championship games
ola,” Reeves said. “We know that
getting a fun workout.
well as trade shows and commu-
approval. The other issue is the
and graduations. This seating
sports and tournaments that
Speaking of workouts, pick-
nity events. The facility’s indoor
sequencing of meetings. So far,
area would be set up in a semi-
have a regional attraction bring
leball is also healthy. The sport
“court sports,” a term coined by
the proposal has been discussed
balcony style to avoid audience
a lot of dollars into a community.
is just as great for mental health
Community Outreach Coordina-
during only two meetings since
members mingling with athletes.
To have an additional tool in our
as it is for physical health. Many
tor Travis Peterson, would allow
Reeves began his term in the
There will also be an opportunity
tool belt, to have something that
professional athletes use pick-
residents and tourists alike to
mayor’s office. Still, the mayor’s
for live streaming so that family
can bring people here and say,
leball to help improve their
enjoy playing the sports they
goal as of now is to have a lease
members all over the world can
‘Hey, we already wanted to come
balance, agility, reflexes and
love, regardless of the weather.
brought to the council no later
watch the sport matches. Addi-
to Pensacola because it’s beauti-
than the February meeting.
hand-eye coordination. It is
The facility would also create
also an amazing alternative for
opportunities for Pensacola to
older athletes or athletes that
host more indoor sport tour-
project across the finish line and
have been injured playing other
naments for local athletes. The
we’re working as diligently as
The modular courts that have
“We are motivated to get this
tionally, a sports themed conces-
ful. We can have a great time here,
sion stand and sports bar will be
but we’re also coming because
implemented.
they’re able to host these tournaments,’ I think that compounds
sports as pickleball puts less
new facility would also include
possible to make sure the lease
already been proposed can be
our ability again to attract tour-
strain on the body than other
a large space for various types
makes sense,” Mayor Reeves said.
used as five basketball, futsal or
ism to the city.”
games.
of community events like gradu-
“Once I took office, I requested
tennis courts or 11 volleyball or
There will also be more
ations, seminars, E-Sport events,
some additional investment by
pickleball courts. The proposal
options for local youth sports
expos and large conventions.
Pa rk s a n d Re c re at i o n Departments across the coun-
the private developers to ensure
also includes the production of
groups to compete in tourna-
try are finding pickleball courts
The facility would be devel-
that when they succeed, we all
12 outdoor multi-use courts.
ments that are usually held in
to be an affordable and popular
oped according to a compre-
succeed. We’re moving ahead
The “Project Pickle” Proposal
Destin, Foley or even as far as
choice for local parks and recre-
hensive four-step plan. First, the
nicely, and we feel confident
states that after the $2 million
Orlando, which will greatly cut
City Council will need to vote on
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that we’re going to get this proj-
investment from the tenant to
down on costly travel out of the
ect across the finish line in rela-
renovate the warehouse, the
city. Finally, this facility will
tively short order.”
Port will receive a share of
connect a vacant and unde-
The next step is, with a mini-
tournament ticket and parking
rused space at the Port with
mum $2 million investment from
revenue, in addition to lease
the rest of downtown and the
payments. The facility will be
historic district, making it a more
available through public day-use,
community-centric place for all.
membership and tournament
The facility will be built in the
play. The tenant will assume
Port of Pensacola’s Warehouse
insurance for further improve-
No. 4, which is located next to
ments and will reimburse the
the Commendencia Slip where
Port for existing insurance costs.
the Pensacola Bay ferries oper-
Preliminary rendering of the proposed Warehouse 4 multi-use sports facility. Rendering courtesy of the City of Pensacola and project developers.
Warehouse 4 Sports will
ate. For more information about
support local youth and commu-
pickleball, visit usapickleball.org.
nity sports leagues, increased
For further details and updates
sports tourism opportunities for
on “Project Pickle,” visit ware-
tournaments, etc. and beach-
house4sports.com.
visit SummationWeekly.com
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