St. Johns County is reviewing plans for a proposed sports facility in St. Augustine. The 12,000-square-foot project will initially offer only pickleball, but it could eventually host other sports.
“That’s tentatively what we want to do,” said owner Dipak Patel. “If there’s demand, we will add more.”
Patel said the sports facility doesn’t have a name yet.
It is planned on 2.1 acres at 6430-B County Road 16A, about 2 miles north of 9 Mile Road. The Wards Creek subdivision is south across the street. The SilverLeaf master-planned community is to the north.
Site plans show eight courts, five of which are enclosed and three that are open air. There are 24 parking spaces.
Oregon-based PSE Consulting Engineers Inc. is the engineer.
The county’s development review committee is scheduled to discuss the project plans Nov. 20.
“There are 50,000 people living within the Silverleaf 10-mile radius. Particularly, given our local weather issues, an indoor facility would allow people across the age spectrum to exercise year-round,” the permit application says.
“It will give people in the county an important gathering spot to strengthen the social bonds that make our community vibrant and strong. This will have a significant impact on the physical and mental health of our citizens.”
According to the 2024 Sports & Fitness Industry Association Topline Participation Report, pickleball grew in 2023 to 13.6 million players in the U.S. The report said that pickleball continues to be the fastest-growing sport in America, up 51.8% from 2022 to 2023 and 223.5% in four years since 2020.
The SFIA specializes in sports and fitness research.