Gluckstadt residents have been requesting locations to exercise, parks and green spaces and a recently approved development will deliver on that.
Magnolia Commons was approved by the mayor and board of aldermen in their December meeting. The project includes indoor and outdoor pickleball, tennis courts, a walking trail, splash pad, play area, and pro shop along with a full service restaurant that will have an outdoor dining area.
There will still be space for other retail tenants as well on the four acres of land off of Church Road – just one mile from the proposed downtown area. The facility and amenities will be available to rent for private events, birthday parties, and corporate events.
“This will help get the ball bouncing until the city has property that we can build a city park,” Gluckstadt’s Alderman Jayce Powell said. “Magnolia Commons will give citizens of Gluckstadt and Madison County a local location where they can play tennis and pickleball, which is one of the fastest growing sports.”
Powell said the new development will provide the Germantown High School tennis team a local place to practice.
“Magnolia Commons will also provide the opportunity to host tournaments that would help bring tax dollars into the city,” Powell said.
Developer Rachel Bolaños said the idea for the project was born out of necessity.
“The city is experiencing tremendous momentum from a commercial real estate and residential boom, but we need more family friendly activities that keep residents in the city and attract others to the area,” Bolaños said. “Tax revenues generated through tournaments, visiting patrons, and people from the tri-county area that come and utilize the space and spend money in our local businesses will allow the city to continue to grow and expand.”
The facility will be the first of its kind in the area as Bolaños said similar venues are either part of a neighborhood or a larger, upscale club that requires a substantial buy-in fee.
“Our facility is modeled after others that can be found in larger cities,” Bolaños said. “It will provide opportunities to indulge in the fastest growing sport in America – pickleball. With new players of all ages joining at record rates, the opportunities are endless. It will be an entertainment hub without the need of leaving the city limits. It will be a landmark of northeast Gluckstadt with fun activities for
the entire family. The splash pad and outdoor play area will be a destination for families in the spring and summer, and tennis and pickleball will draw crowds year round.”
Ground has been broken at the project site, and the building is expected to be finished by this summer with the first games taking place by fall.
“I am most excited about the local businessmen, businesswomen and investors thinking outside the box to build a development that will serve the community and not just be a strip mall or stand-alone building,” Powell said. “While we need these for small business owners that can’t afford to build their own building, it’s nice to see some other type of development. I think Bolaños and everyone involved have done a great job with this development, and I hope others will follow suit.”
