Tom Stegeman, general manager of the Lake Kennedy Racquet Center, is happy with membership signups thus far. The center, which offers tennis and pickleball courts, opened last Wednesday. MARK CLIFFORD

Cape Coral’s newest state-of-the-art tennis and pickleball facility has garnered quite a bit of attention in its first week of operation.

The Lake Kennedy Racquet Center features 32 pickleball courts, 12 tennis courts, and opened Aug. 28, offering a range of amenities for racquet sports enthusiasts of all levels.

Since welcoming players to the grounds, the Lake Kennedy Racquet Center has seen membership numbers skyrocket.

As of Wednesday, there has been a total of 230 individual memberships, 266 couple memberships, 128 family memberships, and seven junior memberships, resulting in more than 700 racquet sport enthusiasts joining up.

The early sign-ups have blown membership predictions out of the water, Tom Stegeman, general manager of the Lake Kennedy Racquet Center, said the center budgeted for 625 memberships its entire first year open.

“And they’re still coming,” he said. “We haven’t even hit season yet. It’s been great. The reception has been great.”

The opening coincided with the center’s first tournament, the United Pickleball State Championship Series, which drew players from across the state to compete and ran until Sept. 1.

“It was ideal the opening happened in conjunction with the tournament, because the place was bustling, and there were a lot of players here,” Stegeman said. “Everything all around has been great.”

Located in the heart of Cape Coral, city officials say the Lake Kennedy Racquet Center is “redefining excellence in racquet sports, both in Florida and across the nation.

“Boasting cutting-edge facilities tailored for top-tier tournaments, this center is one of the grandest outdoor court parks in the state, establishing itself as the ultimate hotspot for pickleball and tennis lovers alike.”

Stegeman added that the biggest appeal to players is the venue itself and what it can offer.

“People have a place where they can finally play with their friends, play with their peers, and play at the appropriate levels,” he said. “They don’t have to wait for courts. It’s organized. It’s not just show up and hope you can get a decent game, it’s show up and be put in a decent game. I think a lot of people are chomping at the bit to get the evening leagues going. People love their pickelball. Being able to have structure is part and parcel to it, but I think from an auxiliary standpoint they see the value to it. They see what pricing they’re going to get in the pro shop. They see what programming they’re going to get along with just the use of the courts.’

One piece of the puzzle that has yet to become operational is the venue’s concessions. Stegeman said he expects it to open within a couple of weeks.

To celebrate the opening, Lake Kennedy Racquet Center is offering a limited-time discount of 50% off all annual memberships for the first year. This registration period will be valid for the first two months of operation. After this initial registration period, the fees will revert to normal rates. Veterans and first responders who are residents of Cape Coral see a 20% discount on any membership in perpetuity (discounts cannot be combined).

Membership options (prices listed are full price, not including any discounts):

– Annual Memberships: Individual at $250, Household Couple at $350, Household Family at $500, and Junior at $100

– Semi-Annual Memberships: Individual at $125, Household Couple at $175, Household Family at $250

– Monthly Memberships: Individual at $25, Household Couple at $35, Household Family at $50

Non-Cape Coral residents will be subject to initiation fees: $100 for annual memberships, and $50 for semi-annual and monthly memberships.

“We’re already having a lot of players come from outside of Cape Coral,” Stegeman said. “The beauty of the complex is the variety of play that you’re able to get. You’re going to improve day-in-and-day-out by playing different people, and people of different levels. They’re getting that here. Once people are here and expense it, it’s kind of hard to not walk away from here and say, ‘OK, I get it.'”

New registrations for memberships will be available at www.playlakekennedy.com or alternatively in person at the Lake Kennedy Racquet Center.

The center offers a variety of lessons, clinics, and camps for all ability levels, as well as paddle and racquet rentals. In addition, the facility features a fully stocked pro shop with playing equipment and apparel, making it a one-stop venue for all Tennis and Pickleball lovers and players.

Lake Kennedy Racquet Center is at 420 S.W. 2nd Avenue.