Palm Coast council asks for more financial detail after USTA pitch to manage Southern Recreation Center

The Palm Coast City Council heard a proposal from the United States Tennis Association to operate the Southern Recreation Center but held off on any management decision, asking staff and the USTA to provide more detailed financial analysis and firmer contract language. The council also asked for clearer guarantees about court maintenance, protections for local instructors and a fuller projection of net fiscal impact.

The USTA presenters described an assessment they completed and outlined a proposed management contract covering Jan. 2026 through Dec. 2031, with a potential three‑year extension. USTA said it would supply a full-time director of rackets, up to six front‑desk attendants, at least five additional instructors, three to four dedicated maintenance staff for clay courts, and a full‑time tournament and events coordinator. The group also proposed maintaining the city’s existing pricing structure for pass holders and granting a 5% additional discount on services such as stringing and special events for annual pass holders.

Why it matters: council members said the center already draws heavy local use and substantial pickleball revenue; handing management and net revenues to an outside operator without precise, comparable financials and clearer maintenance and termination terms could worsen the city’s operating shortfall.

At a staff presentation, Parks and Recreation Director James Hurst described current operations and usage:…