Blazing Paddles Pickleball Entertainment Complex: Temple Terrace leaders are backing talks to build a new $8 million, 35,000-square-foot entertainment venue called Blazing Paddles, which combines pickleball courts with food, drinks, and live music. The project, proposed for downtown, aims to boost business and draw people to the area.
Project Details
Blazing Paddles would sit on 1.75 acres at 8901 North 56th Street, just south of the Fountain Shoppes of Temple Terrace. Developers Jedrek Woodarek and Stephen Danyluk of the Courtzside Group, LLC, have offered the city $1.4 million for the land. That figure is below the city’s $2 million asking price but was still enough to keep discussions moving forward.
The venue would feature 12 pickleball courts, half indoor and half outdoor, along with a restaurant, brewery, and live entertainment space. Plans also include cornhole, shuffleboard, and areas for corporate events.
“We are pickleball first. There’s no denying that, but we are far more than just pickleball. So, whether someone is coming to play pickleball or they are coming for live music and entertainment, or they’re coming to have a beer …
we are creating an experience at Blaze and paddles where everyone can have a great time and engage in a social atmosphere.”(Stephen Danyluk)
Support and Concerns
Most council members praised the project, saying it could spark downtown growth. Mayor Andy Ross said,
“I think this could be a really great thing. There’s nothing else like it. We all know we could use another nice restaurant or bar. And the pickleball thing is on fire.”
Developer Jedrek Woodarek also described the complex as a benefit for the city.
“You are literally drawing people together to experience something that is healthy, fun and active on a regular basis, and obviously we feel that this will be a draw to the city of Temple Terrace and help with the downtown revitalization,” (Jedrek Woodarek).
But Council Member Erik Kravets was the lone opponent, raising doubts about financing and developer experience.
“I think this is not fleshed out enough to proceed. I would be happy to let the developers go back and work on it and come back. … There are a lot of things there that I’d like to see fixed.”( Erik Kravets)
Kravets later added,
“What we don’t want to have happen here is a dead-on-arrival project that never actually gets executed.”
He urged protections to prevent developers from reselling the land if the project fails.
Local Reactions
Pickleball players welcomed the idea. Tom Wagner, co-chairperson of the 200-member Temple Terrace Pickleball Club, said
, “I love it. If I was more of a gambler or a risk taker, I would have done that five years ago, and would have been rich by now.”
City Leisure Services Director Karl Langefeld noted that Temple Terrace has no dedicated pickleball courts, only repurposed tennis and basketball courts. He said more courts are planned in coming years.
“Pickleball is a rapidly growing sport, and there is always demand for additional courts.”(Karl Langefeld)
Looking Ahead
Blazing Paddles is projected to create 40 jobs, bring in more than $400,000 a year in tax revenue, and attract about 300 visitors daily. Developers plan to fund the project with $600,000 of their own money, $1.2 million from investors, and an SBA loan still in process.
To protect the city, council members agreed to seek advice from real estate attorneys and consider clawback provisions if the project fails.
Developer Jedrek Woodarek called it a unique chance:
“This is a chance to catch lightning in a bottle and set Temple Terrace apart with our first flagship location.”
News in Brief: Blazing Paddles Pickleball Entertainment Complex
Temple Terrace officials are considering Blazing Paddles, an $8 million pickleball and entertainment complex with courts, food, and live music. While most council members support the project, some raised financial concerns. If approved, it could create jobs, boost tax revenue, and help revitalize the city’s downtown.
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