Sports

Is a Pickleball Complex on the Horizon for Peachtree Corners?

Published

1 year ago

November 12, 2023

In the past few decades, a sport with a kind of silly name has been sweeping the suburbs. Pickleball uses a smaller version of a tennis court with a plastic whiffle-type ball and a racquet that’s not unlike a ping-pong paddle.

Reports have shown that people enjoy the sport because it’s not as strenuous or expensive to play and doesn’t require the same skill level as tennis. Yet, finding a place to play has become increasingly difficult.

Pickleball in Peachtree Corners

Always keeping its finger on the pulse of the community, the city of Peachtree Corners may be considering a major facility for players and spectators alike.

“As you all remember, a number of months ago, we were in preparation for getting to a point where we might be able to make a decision on this phenomenon, we all know is pickleball,” said City Manager Brian Johnson.

“How big is it here in Peachtree Corners? What might the city be involved in facilitating? Would it be of value to us? How much would it cost?” he asked.

With those questions in mind, the city of Peachtree Corners contracted with Sports Facilities Advisory (SFA) in April to produce a five-year financial forecast for developing a pickleball complex. The findings were presented at a city council work session on Sept. 12.

Key criteria for the complex

The city asked for several models, including indoor and outdoor facilities, a possible full-service restaurant and basic concession offerings.

Multiple models were considered based on their ability to complement, rather than compete with, national scale pickleball events currently scheduled at nearby facilities.

For the city to consider such a costly endeavor, several “measurements of success” were required for it to be feasible.

“We want to attract non-local visitors to an area and drive that economic impact with hotel room nights and direct spending,” said Suzanne Fisher Reeder, an account executive and project manager for SFA.

These measurements were gleaned from a stakeholder meeting back in June, and SFA condensed them into three major points:

The first is to create a best-in-market hub for pickleball tournaments and events that attract non-local visitors to Peachtree Corners. This hub must make an economic impact, including hotel room nights and direct spending to adjacent businesses.

The second point is to leverage revenue-generating opportunities and spaces to create a business model that limits ongoing subsidy requirements.

Lastly, to develop an adaptable, flexible facility and operating model that maximizes use for pickleball tourism.

“So, what does that look like?” asked Reeder. “We actually look at three different options.”

Examining the possibilities

The first option was a local model with a 12-court facility with six indoor and six outdoor courts to support local play (ALTA and USGA).

The next model was a mid-level option with 24 courts. There would be 12 Indoor and 12 outdoor covered courts. It would support local play and tournament play.

“That would be weekend play and three-to-five-day tournaments,” said Reeder.

The largest was a national tournament model with 60 courts, 48 indoor and 12 outdoor courts covered.

“It could host very large national tournaments but also support your local players,” said Reeder.

Once the options were presented, SFA took a Goldilocks approach in its recommendation. The lower-end option would be suitable for local play.

It could accommodate those in Peachtree Corners looking for a facility, but it would not be large enough for tournaments or attracting tourism.

The high-end option wouldn’t be as cost-effective and could compete with existing businesses. Most concerning, it wouldn’t be utilized enough to account for the expense. The mid-level option appeared to be the sweet spot.

“The 24-court pickleball indoor/outdoor [model] … is about 55,000 square feet of indoor [space], 35,000 square feet outdoors, seven total acres to build, and we have a full breakdown of the model,” said Reeder.

Economic impact

The breakdown included food and beverage options, an outdoor event area, an indoor upstairs bar-type restaurant, a membership lounge, a parking lot and other things needed for regional tournaments and to support local players.

“When we look at revenue, we look at all of the potential business units that could take place within the facility,” said Reeder.

SFA calculations showed that the complex could generate about $8 million in the first four years, with year five at close to $9 million. After operating costs, profit would be around $5 million annually.

Looking at economic impact, Reeder said they expect the typical out-of-towner would spend an average of $120.72 per night on food, lodgings and miscellaneous expenses.

Overnight stays would start at around 4,000 hotel rooms in the first year, growing to about 16,000 rooms by year five, depending upon the number of tournaments.

“We’ve also projected the number of tournaments starting at nine, leading up to 16. Including everything from one or two-day tournaments up to five-day tournaments,” said Reeder.

More work to be done

The mid-level model seemed to fulfill the three requirements for success mainly because it would be operationally sustainable and wouldn’t require a subsidy.

The discussion continued after SFA’s recommendation. Concerns about public and private partnerships, competition in other parts of metro Atlanta, the longevity of the concept and acquisition of property arose.

The issue is far from being resolved, and the city council has a lot more research ahead.

Related Topics:Peachtree Corners pickleball

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Arlinda Smith Broady

Arlinda Smith Broady is part of the Boomerang Generation of Blacks that moved back to the South after their ancestors moved North. With approximately three decades of journalism experience (she doesn't look it), she's worked in tiny, minority-based newsrooms to major metropolitans. At every endeavor she brings professionalism, passion, pluck, and the desire to spread the news to the people.

Doing Good

Pickle for Pups Combines Pickleball, Parties and Fun for a Worthy Cause

Published

2 months ago

October 1, 2024

Shawne Taylor

The two-day event aims to raise funds for local dog rescue

Show off your pickleball skills, cheer on the players, meet fellow dog lovers and enjoy the beautiful facility and courts at Life Time Health & Fitness Center in Peachtree Corners at the second annual Pickle for Pups fundraising weekend.

large outdoor facility with tennis and pickleball courts — Life Time pickleball courts, courtesy of Pickle for Pups

Whether you’re a tournament-level player or a pickleball beginner, this two-day event offers fun for everyone. With exciting games, drills and open play; a Friday night party; Saturday team tournament; and an online raffle, it’s a great way to meet and mingle with other pickleball enthusiasts while supporting the work done by BarkVille Dog Rescue.

Weekend events

The festivities kick off on Friday, November 15 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. with an evening of food, drinks, live music and pickleball. The Life Time pros will offer clinics and drills, and other courts will be available for open play. Some of the rescue’s adorable, adoptable dogs will even be onsite for the fun.

dog on a leash wearing a halo — photo courtesy of Pickle for Pups

Saturday, November 16 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. will feature the team tournament with two divisions: 3.0/3.5 and 4.0/4.5. Matches will include one men’s line, one women’s line and two mixed lines. The top four teams in each level will advance to the medal round, and medals for the top three teams in each division will be awarded.

Participants can form their own team or ask to be placed on a team at their level.

Team tournament players will receive a boxed lunch, and food will also be available for purchase at the club restaurant.

In addition to tournament play, beginners clinics and drills will be offered from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m., and open play will be available for those who can’t commit to the full afternoon but still want to have some pickleball fun.

There will be nine courts available for Friday night and 12 courts for Saturday. All courts are permanent pickleball courts and indoor courts are also available, so the event will be held rain or shine.

Ticket options

The Drinks & Dinks pass includes entrance to the Friday evening party (complete with food, drink, live music and pickleball), as well as entry on Saturday for open play, clinics and drills. Cost: $50.

The Top Dog “Team Up for Rescue” tournament pass is for people playing in the team tournament and includes registration for all of the action on Saturday as well as the Friday night party and an event swag bag. Cost: $75.

Both ticket options allow you to come both days or just one day.

large outdoor pickleball court facility — photo courtesy of Pickle for Pups

The raffle

Pickle for Pups is also holding a raffle featuring amazing prizes, including an all-inclusive trip for two to the Caribbean, a Zane Navratil ProXR paddle and virtual lesson, gift cards to local restaurants and more.

New prizes will be added weekly leading up to the event. Raffle tickets can be purchased online through November 16. The drawing will be held that day at 3:00 p.m.

Ten raffle entries are $25; 140 entries can be purchased for $200. Other entry packages are available for $50 and $100 as well.

The details

Event dates: November 15-16

Location: Life Time Health Club & Fitness Center at 6350 Courtside Dr. NW, Peachtree Corners, GA

For more information or to make a donation, purchase event tickets or buy raffle entries, visit go.rallyup.com/pickleforpups2024.

For more about BarkVille Dog Rescue, visit barkvilledogrescue.org.

Information about Life Time in Peachtree Corners can be found at lifetime.life/locations/ga/peachtree-corners.

Community

Olympian Jasmine Jones Visits Her Local Alma Mater

Published

2 months ago

September 25, 2024

Shawne Taylor

Olympic athlete standing with a school mascot

Olympian Jasmine Jones, a standout alumna of Greater Atlanta Christian School (Class of 2020), returned to her alma mater on September 12 to speak to and inspire the next generation of students there.

GAC staff interviewed Jones and also took questions from the students during a Q&A session that included every grade level.

Female Olympic athlete being interviewed onstage — photo courtesy of Greater Atlanta Christian School

As a member of the U.S. Olympic team and a 12-time Georgia state individual champion during her time at GAC, Jasmine’s visit was a homecoming filled with motivation and reflection. She spoke passionately to the students about the importance of perseverance, goal-setting, and embracing challenges, drawing from her journey from GAC to the University of Southern California and the global stage of the Olympics.

Jones qualified for the Paris Olympics on June 30 and made the U.S. team in women’s 400m hurdles after placing third. She went on to place fourth in the women’s 400m hurdles final at the Paris games.

Female Olympian meeting members of the audience in a school auditorium — photo courtesy of Greater Atlanta Christian School

Students and staff at GAC cheered Jones on during the Olympics. And they cheered her again as she took to the school’s stage to address the audience. Before and after the event, Jones posed for photos, gave high-fives and took time connect with some of GAC’s enthusiastic students and faculty.

Female Olympian meeting students at her alma mater — photo courtesy of Greater Atlanta Christian School

Her words — and her accomplishments — left a powerful impression on the crowd, reminding everyone of the heights that can be achieved with dedication and faith.

For more about GACS, visit greateratlantachristian.org.

Sports

A Record-Breaking Year for Wesleyan Athletics

Published

6 months ago

June 3, 2024

Peachtree Corners Magazine staff

Wesleyan is known for its faith-based academic excellence, but maybe you didn’t know that the school’s athletic prowess is just as impressive.

Girls Cross Country // Images courtesy of Wesleyan

Wesleyan School is known for its faith-based academic excellence, but maybe you didn’t know that the school’s athletic achievements are just as impressive. This year alone, Wesleyan has amassed an astounding nine state championships.

“The Wesleyan School athletic program has been incredibly blessed to enjoy a significant amount of success during the 2023-2024 school year. Winning nine state championships is a credit to our student-athletes, coaches, and parents,” said Chris Cleveland, head of school and assistant coach for the varsity boys basketball team.

Nine state championship titles are the most Wesleyan has ever won in a single school year. But the school’s athletic department is focused on far more besides winning.

“While winning a state championship is a substantial accomplishment that is worthy of celebration, it is not the sole measure by which we measure the success of a season. It is our greatest desire and prayer that the lives of our students will be transformed due to the investment by our coaches and through the relationships they build with their teammates,” added Cleveland.

After the girls and boys lacrosse teams won their state titles earlier this year, Wesleyan now has a state championship in every sport they field.

“We are so proud of our student-athletes, coaches, and our entire athletics program. Regardless of the number of state championships in a given year, our goal is to develop young men and young women of character. When recognition like state titles accompanies that objective, it certainly is a lot of fun and a great honor for our entire community,” commented Lacy Gilbert, director of athletics.

Congratulations to all Wesleyan student-athletes, coaches and faculty for this incredible accomplishment.

List of team titles:

Girls Softball
Girls Cross Country
Boys Swim & Dive
Girls Swim & Dive
Girls Lacrosse
Boys Lacrosse
Girls Tennis
Girls Track & Field
Boys Golf

List of individual titles:

Weezie Moore – Girls Cross Country
Abbey Suits – Dive
Hattie Wasmuth – Swim: 200 Medley
Max Perry – Swim: 50 Free
Ryan Cowart, Jace Neeb, JJ Neeb and Max Perry – Swim: 200 Free Relay
Ansley Chapman, MC Harrison, Vivian Hosier and Hattie Wasmuth – Swim: 200 free relay
Ryan Cowart, JJ Neeb, Max Perry and Connor Worgo – Swim: 400 free relay
Ansley Chapman, Lily Corbitt, Vivian Hosier and Hattie Wasmuth – Swim: 400 free relay
Weezie Moore – Track & Field: 3,200 meters
Kyra Brubaker, Ansley Voss, Eva Murphy and Julie Anne Bush – Track & Field: 4 x 800-meter relay
Anne McSweeney – Track & Field: 800 meters
Ben Vondrak – Track & Field: Wheelchair 800 meters and 200 meters