STATE-RUN Clark Development Corp. (CDC) said it is building a P12-million pickleball facility within the Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga, amid its lifestyle and sports hub push.
In a social media post last weekend, the CDC said it signed a 10-year lease agreement with Bandjag Sports & Leisure, Inc. to redevelop the former Clark Trading Warehouse into a pickleball and paddle sports facility.
The development will rise on an 8,443-square-meter (sq.m.) leased area, which covers the 3,818-sq.m. existing structure and 4,625 sq.m. of open space. It is located along Centennial Road, inside the Clark Freeport Zone.
“We are creating a different brand for Clark, where sports, light manufacturing, restaurants, and community spaces come together,” CDC President and Chief Executive Officer Agnes VST Devanadera said.
The center will feature eight public pickleball courts, a main tournament court, and a basketball court that may be converted into four additional pickleball courts.
It will also have a private pickleball court, spaces for table tennis and other paddle sports, a café and pro shop, locker rooms, and flexible multipurpose areas for coaching, training, community events, and corporate activities.
Clark Pickleball+ seeks to cater to beginners, recreational players, and competitive athletes, and will serve as a venue for tournaments, clinics, and group programs.
The development also aligns with the growing demand for healthy and lifestyle-driven spaces, the state-run firm also said.
The pickleball center forms part of CDC’s aim to expand the Clark Freeport Zone into a business and tourist destination in the Central Luzon area.
The 4,400-hectare economic zone is home to Clark International Airport Complex, Clark Entertainment and Events Center, and the Clark National Food Terminal.
Last year, the Clark International Airport reported a 14% increase in passenger arrivals to 2.75 million passengers. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz
