Clearwater McMullen Tennis Center Better Than Ever After 47 Years

Municipal tennis facilities have become the location of choice for many tennis and pickleball enthusiasts across the country. The Henry L. McMullen Tennis Complex in Clearwater, Florida, is such a community facility, responsibly managed, maintained and staffed by the City of Clearwater Parks and Recreation Department.

Built in 1976, McMullen has grown into a premier public complex. It is situated in central Clearwater and Pinellas County on a 20-acre city park site, accessible by major highways and roads.

McMullen daily welcomes players turning onto a quiet neighborhood street, winding then to an impressive and professional complex. All 19 courts are lighted, offering canopies, benches and water fountains for players. There are 12 Har-Tru courts (with sub-surface irrigation), six hard courts, one hard pro court (with stadium seating), a double-sided hitting wall, blended line courts for pickleball, ball machine, restrooms with shower facilities, competent instructors and a fully staffed office.

McMullen was initially built as a hard court facility, but due to a strong demand for softer courts, eight hard courts were converted to soft in early 2000. In 2018 four Har-Tru courts (with LED lighting) were added, bringing the soft court total to 12, and total court number to 19. The facility now offers all surfaces for players in a shaded, fully landscaped park setting.

Projected enhancements include hard court resurfacing in fiscal year 2023-2024, conversion of all overhead lights to LED in fiscal year 2024-2025, new air conditioning system for office building and continued maintenance of court surfaces and structures.

In 2020, McMullen welcomed a new Recreation Supervisor, Paul Roskey. Since his arrival and under his direction, the complex has seen many improvements and upgrades. Eight Har-Tru courts were resurfaced in 2022. In 2023 the office building acquired a new roof, was newly painted inside and out, and the restrooms/shower areas refurbished.

Roskey has embraced his duties with an obvious and strong work ethic. His responsibilities include administration and maintenance of the entire facility, budgeting for daily operations and capital improvements and directing staff. As McMullen's Supervisor, Roskey oversees a staff of twelve, including himself, a full-time Recreation Facilities Support Custodian (Sean Maxfield), six part-time office/facility employees and four professional coaching instructors. He is responsible for all hiring, training and scheduling so as to keep McMullen staffed for all hours of operation.

As an experienced 19-year city employee with positions in three other city recreation centers and now as McMullen's Supervisor, Roskey has worked to put McMullen on the tennis map for local players and those visiting Clearwater from all over the nation and world. He can be found inside the office tending to administrative duties as well as outside, doing court and facility maintenance. He feels that "by managing and maintaining McMullen, mindful of spending taxpayers funds wisely, residents and visitors are offered an exceptional recreational opportunity."

With McMullen in excellent supervisory hands, attendance has increased substantially these past three years. During the winter season (September-April), an average of 150 players visit the facility daily. The summer months usually record 100 players per day.

Currently calling McMullen home are eight women's weekly daytime league teams, men's senior thrice-weekly leagues and six USTA (men's, women's, coed) teams, and organized pickleball play. With four qualified teaching professionals on staff, McMullen offers level-specific instruction for beginner, intermediate and advanced players of all ages. Group clinics and private lessons are offered daily, morning and evening, to accommodate all schedules.

McMullen is a true gem in the City of Clearwater Parks and Recreation Department. Google searches now highlight the complex for players looking for a well-maintained and affordable playing experience in Clearwater. McMullen is open seven days a week and offers many playing options for tennis and pickleball. City residents can obtain a Rec Card for reduced rates, seniors are offered discounts, and monthly memberships are available for total access and advance court reservations.

The complex has served the community well for many years and is truly on a solid, stable and exciting path going forward. McMullen is located at 1000 Edenville Ave., Clearwater, Florida 33764 and can be reached at 727-669-1919 or at https://www.myclearwater.com.

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Written by: Deborah Hobbs; Photos: Henry L. McMullen Tennis Complex. This article also appears in the July-August 2023 issue of Florida Tennis Magazine. Be sure to subscribe for expanded coverage, exclusive interviews, and in-depth tennis news.