Wellington

Diadem Pickleball Complex to Open in Wellington

An indoor pickleball facility with dining, simulators, and event space.

Image from Diadem Pickleball Complex website

WELLINGTON, FL — Diadem Pickleball Complex is targeting a September 15th opening at 10570 West Forest Hill Boulevard, Wellington, FL 33414, owner Simon Velasquez told Business Debut. The indoor pickleball facility will also include Cat 5, a restaurant and bar serving pizza, salads, beer and wine.

Velasquez said he chose Wellington after looking at locations across South Florida, including Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties. Wellington offered a strong location with limited dedicated indoor pickleball facilities, he told Business Debut.

What to Expect

Diadem Pickleball Complex will be an indoor pickleball facility with courts, a pro shop, a golf simulator, a pickleball simulator and space for tournaments, corporate events and non-pickleball events, Velasquez told Business Debut.

Images from Diadem Pickleball Complex website

Velasquez said Diadem is a pickleball and tennis brand that opened its first indoor complex in Coconut Creek. The company has since expanded through license agreements, with multiple indoor facilities planned across Florida and other markets, he told Business Debut.

Cat 5 will seat about 11 to 12 guests at the bar and about 48 guests total, Velasquez told Business Debut. The restaurant will also offer service to players on the courts, which Velasquez said is one of the facility’s biggest draws.

Cat 5 will serve pizza and salads, along with beer and wine, Velasquez told Business Debut. The pizzas will be imported directly from Italy, and the restaurant will offer service to players on the courts.

Velasquez said the goal is to serve both pickleball players and the surrounding Wellington community. In addition to the courts, the complex will include a golf simulator, pickleball simulator and space for tournaments, corporate events and non-pickleball events.

For Velasquez, the project brings together his background in sports and business. He has more than 20 years of international business experience in footwear, apparel and accessories, including work with Wolverine Worldwide, Crocs and Kathmandu, where he is currently head of international.

Velasquez is also a former professional tennis player and Division I tennis athlete. After getting into pickleball and exploring investment opportunities outside of corporate life, he said he saw Diadem as the right fit.

Wellington stood out after Velasquez looked at locations across South Florida, including Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties. He said the area had strong demand for pickleball but limited dedicated indoor facilities, especially for summer heat and rainy weather.