Clearwater developer Les Porter announced a major expansion of his redevelopment plan for the city‑owned Landings Golf Course. The new proposal adds a 220,000‑square‑foot indoor fieldhouse, pushing the estimated cost to $300 million, about $120 million above the city’s earlier $179.6 million estimate.
Facility details
The indoor fieldhouse would feature eight full‑size basketball courts that can be converted into 16 volleyball courts, plus flexible space for indoor soccer, flag football, cheerleading and gymnastics. Additional amenities include four padel courts and 24 indoor pickleball courts, all to operate under the Clearwater Racquet Club name.
Community input and potential benefits
Porter said the expansion grew out of extensive community engagement, noting that residents repeatedly asked for more indoor basketball, soccer and flag‑football options. He argues that an indoor venue would allow the campus to host tournaments year‑round, avoiding disruptions from summer thunderstorms and extreme heat, and could generate demand for local hotels and restaurants when out‑of‑town teams visit.
Council schedule and competing proposals
The Clearwater City Council will hold a work session on Oct. 12 and a vote on Oct. 14 to select a developer for the property located at 1875 Airport Drive, beside Clearwater Executive Airpark. Alongside Porter’s unsolicited proposal, the city received submissions from Sunshine Recreational and Entertainment LLC and Clearwater Golf Associates. An evaluation committee ranked Sunshine first on Oct. 1, and city staff recommends authorizing negotiations for an interim agreement with that company.
Emergency‑management considerations
Porter highlighted that the site sits roughly 70 feet above sea level and directly adjacent to the airpark, suggesting the fieldhouse could serve as an emergency‑staging area for hurricane response. He emphasized that any such use would require appropriate building specifications and coordination with Pinellas County emergency‑management agencies.
Environmental and infrastructure work
The redevelopment will also address environmental concerns tied to a former landfill on the property. Porter proposes pursuing a brownfield designation, undertaking mitigation measures, and upgrading aging storm‑water infrastructure. Nearby residents have voiced worries about flooding, traffic, and parking impacts, which the city will need to evaluate as part of the final agreement.
Financial structure and tax implications
Porter argues that a private redevelopment would generate property‑tax revenue from a site that currently operates as a tax‑exempt municipal golf course. He claims the project would have no tax exemptions, but the final ownership, lease and tax terms remain to be negotiated. The earlier proposal included a long‑term ground lease and sought about $45 million in Pinellas County tourist‑development tax funding; it is unclear whether the expanded $300 million investment will alter those figures.
Next steps
City Council members are expected to discuss the proposals at 1:30 p.m. on Oct. 12 and vote at 6 p.m. on Oct. 14 in the Clearwater Main Library Council Chambers. Public comment will be taken on Oct. 14, though not during the work session. If negotiations move forward, the city and the selected developer will need to formalize an enforceable agreement covering investment, environmental work, public‑access requirements and revenue sharing.
Original reporting: St. Pete Catalyst — read the source article.
