Expansive Pickleball Complex in South Florida

As pickleball’s momentum continues to sweep feverishly across the country, South Florida may now lay claim to arguably the finest facility in the United States. Located in Fort Lauderdale, The Fort features 43 courts, which places the facility in the top five in the country, along with a pickleball stadium that was constructed specifically for exclusive play.

“We built the stadium so it can be utilized daily. Often you’ll see stadiums and they’re empty most of the year. At The Fort, our restaurant is on the baseline side overlooking the court and spills out to the side, so the restaurant is truly integrated with the center court,” said Brad Tuckman, co-founder and CEO of The Fort.

The stadium is situated on a lake that will also host beach volleyball and watersports including kayaking, canoeing and paddleboarding. “We’ve basically blended all the industry has to offer, from small venues to large venues, into one comprehensive facility,” he added. “We are geared toward a pro player and to someone who’s just learning how to play pickleball for the first time, with an emphasis on the social aspect of pickleball. Really, the sky’s the limit with this space, as it was built to be very versatile and year-round.”

As has been the norm in the United States, pickleball courts are at a premium and the demand just keeps getting bigger and bigger each day. 

“Our goal is to bring in the next wave of people who have been afraid to go to the park because it can be intimidating, and at the same time reduce a lot of the wait at the parks by bringing those people over to the club. We are also committed to introducing a younger audience to the sport, with field trips and camps being introduced as well as equipment donations to local schools,” said Tuckman.

Like so many others, Tuckman started playing pickleball during the COVID-19 pandemic and quickly found that he was waiting more than he was playing. For him, early indicators showed that from a business perspective, there was a need for more courts and less waiting. The community also relished a place that caters to all players—new and seasoned, old and young.

The Fort hosted the APP Fort Lauderdale Open tournament in early April and is also set for another APP tournament Dec. 5-7. Tuckman noted, “Our current plan is to have at least two a year with the APP and we’re doing small pop-up tournaments on our own. We are looking to host some international events as well.

“Again, the beauty of 43 courts is that we could do a small 20-court tournament and not actually hinder our members with their normal day-to-day play. We’re also planning collegiate events, DUPR rating events, and we will be hosting county-wide high school events.”

The Fort is steadily introducing league play, but many of the special events like glow-in-the-dark pickleball, cardio clinics, and “Hitting with the Pros” are garnering the most excitement from the folks in and around the Fort Lauderdale area.  •