The City of Fort Walton Beach is expanding its plans for the Preston Hood Athletic Complex to include a 13-court pickleball facility, City Manager Jeff Peters announced during a budget workshop on Monday.
- The pickleball addition, which includes eight covered courts and a stadium court, will be part of the larger expansion project for the complex located on Hollywood Boulevard. Peters told the city council that bids for the project would open on Tuesday, August 13.
“You can host a pretty good tournament if you have 12 pickleball courts,” Peters said. “This would be 13 with a stadium court and some bleachers.”
The pickleball complex was not initially part of the expansion plans for the 12-acre site, which the city decided to retain for recreational use in 2021 after considering other development proposals.
The expanded facility is expected to include four new multi-purpose fields, an expanded parking lot with 300-400 spaces, restrooms, a recreation building, and a pedestrian bridge connecting the north and south sides of the complex.
- Peters indicated he hopes to present bids to the council for consideration at the September 10 meeting. The city plans to use various funds, including the half-cent sales tax, to cover the project costs.
The expansion aims to address the growing demand for recreational facilities in Fort Walton Beach. City officials view the expansion as an opportunity to enhance local recreational offerings while also positioning Fort Walton Beach to compete for sports tourism events with nearby cities.
