A proposed project would bring 13 multipurpose fields, a pickleball complex, water attractions, sand volleyball courts and a fitness and wellness center to publicly owned land in Clearwater.
Porter Development’s initial proposal also included a 5,000-seat “championship” stadium at what is now The Landings, a golf course adjacent to the Clearwater Executive Airport. Preston Rudie, a spokesperson for the firm, told the Catalyst that revised plans would feature a 1,500-seat, open-air arena.
Clearwater-based Porter Development has long sought to create a multi-use recreation destination in Pinellas County that combines athletics, wellness and family-friendly amenities. President Les Porter called the redevelopment a “major win for the community” that he believes will garner “overwhelming support.”
“Our goal is to create a meaningful neighborhood hub where people can gather, stay active and enjoy the outdoors,” Porter said in a prepared statement. “Our community has been asking for more green space to support an active lifestyle, and we’re thrilled to see this vision become a reality.”
The 105-page proposal notes that two regional sports complexes have successfully attracted major events but required over $100 million in public funding to develop and ongoing subsidies to sustain operations. Porter will rely on private investments to deliver “comparable – and potentially greater – economic outcomes.”
Projected financial benefits include a $566 million economic impact, $26 million in tax revenue, and over $500 million in direct visitor spending over the first decade. The proposal also highlights how The Landings, one of three golf courses, provides an ideal location.
Sunshine Recreational and Entertainment, a limited liability corporation led by Porter, will lease, redevelop, manage and operate the property at 1875 Airport Drive. The site is near St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport and a short distance from Clearwater Beach.
The proposal also notes the property’s proximity to Tampa International Airport and how the Clearwater Executive Airport and an industrial area will serve as a buffer between the complex and surrounding neighborhoods. “Gentle grading and minimal environmental constraints make the site far easier and more cost-effective to redevelop than Clearwater Country Club or Chi Chi Rodriguez Golf Club,” it states.
The development would feature 11 synthetic turf and two natural grass fields, each with lighting and covered spectator seating. Porter plans to offer enhanced food and beverage options that will “elevate” the viewing experience beyond typical concessions.
A pickleball complex would provide 14 covered courts in an “upscale atmosphere that combines competitive sports with social experiences. Complimentary outdoor activities include golf simulators and casual recreation spaces.
A water park will “serve as a unique amenity that differentiates the project from regional competitors,” states the proposal. The Sports and Performance Center will offer yoga, boot camps, CrossFit and Pilates, with a running and biking trail encircling the property.
The Wellness Zone will feature recovery amenities, including hot and cold mineral-infused pools. County Commissioner Kathleen Peters called the plans “incredible” and “spectacular” at a Dec. 11 workshop.
Porter is now tweaking those plans as the city requested some modifications to his unsolicited proposal. He pitched a similar project, ultimately rejected by voters, atop a former Largo landfill in 2022.
Rudie was adamant that the latest proposal would not require a referendum, as the property is already zoned for recreational uses. “Such a partnership would leverage private-sector expertise, innovation and capital to deliver a high-quality facility while minimizing public risk and maximizing public benefit,” it reads.
An announcement notes that Sunshine Recreational and Entertainment, established in 2021 to develop community-focused facilities, “is composed primarily of local professionals who understand the unique needs and opportunities of the Clearwater area.” Those include the team at Sport Facilities Companies, which the county selected to help transform the former Toytown landfill into an athletic complex.
In 2021, Porter proposed a 150,000-square-foot sports complex with a lagoon-style pool at the environmentally-challenged former Raytheon site in west St. Petersburg. Those plans also unraveled and he is now building Azalea Gateway, a multifamily development that will eventually boast over 1,000 units, at 501 72nd St. N.
The over $300 million project will offer affordable and workforce housing. City and county officials contributed $6 million and $5.25 million, respectively, to the development’s $110 million first phase.
Porter believes a public-private partnership will ensure the Clearwater project’s success. “Land suitable for large-scale outdoor recreation is extremely limited and costly in Pinellas County,” states the proposal.
“Such a partnership would leverage private-sector expertise, innovation and capital to deliver a high-quality facility while minimizing the public risk and maximizing public benefit.”
This content provided in partnership with StPeteCatalyst.com
