University of Florida’s Pickleball Expansion: The University of Florida has started building a new outdoor complex with six pickleball courts to keep up with growing interest in the sport. The Flavet Outdoor Recreation Complex began construction in February 2025 and is set to open in spring 2026.
It will be located on campus and is being funded with $6.5 million from the Capital Improvement Trust Fund and the UF president’s office. The project is a response to the growing number of students and faculty wanting to play pickleball but facing long wait times due to limited court space.
Pickleball Popularity Causes Overcrowding
Pickleball has grown very popular at the University of Florida since 2020. The campus currently has only 10 courts, and these are often full. Many students wait for long periods and sometimes don’t get to play at all.
Nathan Ly, a student at the University of Florida, said, “We come here often, and sometimes we wait here for over an hour and still don’t get to play. It’s always just so busy, which sucks because there are lots of people constantly trying to play.”
To meet this need, UF’s Planning Design and Construction department partnered with RecSports to build the Flavet Outdoor Recreation Complex. This new area will have six pickleball courts and other features.
More Than Just Sports Courts
Marty Dempsey, RecSports director for facilities and operations, said the idea came from listening to students.
“Everybody on campus wants to play pickleball nowadays. It became quite loud that we absolutely needed to have more court space,” Marty Dempsey said. “Being in the beautiful weather of Florida, folks want to be outside, and they want to be able to recreate.”
The five-acre complex will also have two sand volleyball courts, hammock areas, shaded seating, updated restrooms, and trails that link the different features.
“We’ll also have hammocks, a pavilion for shaded seating, renovated restrooms and trails that connect all the amenities,” Marty Dempsey said. “This is a completely outdoor space, and it’ll be something that all students and faculty can use and enjoy.”
“We’re excited to be using UF’s resources on this project. It’s something that everyone can get behind and use.” – (Dempsey)
Replacing Old Facilities
The project replaces the Broward Outdoor Recreation Complex, which closed in 2021 when Honors Village was built.
“The Broward facility closed around when pickleball really took off, so we went from having 32 courts in the RecSports portfolio to just 10,” Marty Dempsey said. “We knew that losing that ground without an immediate plan to replace it was definitely tough on the community, so this project is a huge step in addressing that need.”
Construction is being handled by Charles Perry Partners, Inc., a Gainesville company that has worked on other UF buildings like Donald R. Dizney Stadium and the Graham Center.
“They’ve done great work for the university before, and we expect that to continue,” said Andrew Meeker, project manager for UF. “We’re really excited to see how they bring the complex to life and grow RecSports’ vision.”
A Place for All Activities
Even though RecSports won’t be managing the site in person, students will still be able to borrow sports items using their UF IDs.
“There will be an equipment check-out system that uses UF IDs, so people will be able to borrow frisbees, balls and other types of equipment,” Andrew Meeker said. “The goal is to get people to come out and use the space, regardless of what they want to do.”
Lighting will also be added so the area can be used during the day and at night.
“There’s going to be a variety of sport court lighting, decorative lighting like you would see within a park environment to illuminate the public spaces and the walkways and the seating areas and the lounge areas,” Andrew Meeker said. “The goal behind that is to have people out there at night just as much as during the day.”
Events such as movie nights and food trucks may be hosted at the new space.
“We hope to maybe be able to bring some movies on the lawn, some music that might come out there and food trucks,” said Marty Dempsey. “We want to use Flavet’s space for more than just sports.”
He added that the aim is to make it a place for everyone to gather and relax.
“We’re kind of hoping that this whole thing creates kind of a Central Park feel around the University of Florida,” Marty Dempsey said. “It’s just a place that people want to go and hang out, play sports, be with friends or whatever else they’d like to do outside.”
Looking to the Future
This is the only recreational sports project that UF is currently working on, but more may come in the future.
“This is the only major project that is currently funded, approved and being designed, but we’re not done by any stretch. We’re benchmarking what we currently do in our portfolio and what our colleagues do in the SEC and around the country,” Marty Dempsey said. “At the end of that, we’ll identify some areas on campus that we may take a look at for some future build.”
Students like Nathan Ly are excited about the changes. “It seems like a great opportunity for everyone,” Nathan Ly said. “I think the increased space and courts will go a long way in getting people to play tennis or get outside and do other things.”
Victoria Rodriguez, a senior at the University of Florida, said she won’t be able to enjoy the new space as a student, but she’s still glad it’s happening.
“I think this is good for everyone in the long run, whether they want to play sports or just study and chill,” Victoria Rodriguez said. “I’m glad that they’re expanding and trying to bring more life to this part of campus. It’s always nice to have an open space to do whatever you want.”
News in Brief: University of Florida’s Pickleball Expansion
The University of Florida is building a new outdoor complex with six pickleball courts to handle rising demand. The $6.5 million Flavet Outdoor Recreation Complex began construction in February 2025 and is expected to open in spring 2026. It will include volleyball courts, shaded seating, and student events.
ALSO READ: Osborne Park Opens New Pickleball Courts, Igniting Lakefront Revival in Willoughby City