From beginner to advanced, there are places to play.
Social media revealed that there are adults in this great city looking for a way to play. We noticed people asking about options for adult volleyball and places to enjoy the hoops.
If you have been wondering where you and your friends can get a good game of three-on-three in, or a place to serve the ball, we did some digging for you. There are more resources for these desires than most of us know.
First on our list is the Plant City Rec department. We spoke with Mr. Trey Phillips, the Athletics Program Manager. He informed us that last fall, starting in September, they offered an adult kickball league. November started the adult dodgeball league. And now, the adult pickleball league is currently in full swing.
He let us know that they have also done an adult basketball league.
But here’s an answer for those of you who have been asking about it on social media: “Moving forward, we are exploring the addition of adult volleyball (sand and/or indoor) and plan to host cornhole tournaments throughout the year.”
Here are some athletic sites provided to us by the Plant City Parks and Recreation Department:
The Plant City Tennis Center which has the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, and 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Sunday. https://www.plantcitygov.com/business_detail_T14_R50.php. The Tennis Center is located on Wilder Rd, has 6 HydroGrid clay courts and four lighted hard courts. There are also restrooms and a pro shop there. Courts cost $7 per hour, per person, before 6:00 p.m. and $8 after 6:00 p.m. if you want to use the clay courts. The hard courts are just $1 before 6:00 p.m. and then $3 after. But you can also get an annual pass for yourself ($350) or your family ($700).
The Sadye Gibbs Martin Community Center has hours of 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, and 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Sunday. https://www.plantcitygov.com/business_detail_T14_R87.php. The Community Center is located on Maryland Ave. It’s a very new facility, having had its doors opened in August of 2020. It sits on over 18 acres and is home to a 30,000 square foot multipurpose building that includes meeting rooms, craft rooms, a computer lab and activity room, a kitchen facility, and two full-sized basketball gyms. Plus, there are two small baseball fields and one large one, all of which are lighted. You can rent the facilities, too.
Now we’ll step a little outside the city and point out the Springhead Pickleball Courts. You can find these on Nesmith Rd. This is a public facility with four “fenced, permanent net courts with lights.” There is a small community building adjacent to the courts, where there is a playground and a pavilion. You can also access a softball field there. This location is open from sunrise to sunset. According to the Hillsborough County website, there are also basketball courts and a soccer field available
Finally, as we perused your searches for places to participate in adult sports, we took note of the Plant City Church of God’s Sports Ministry being mentioned in some of the comments. We didn’t even know that was a thing. Did you? Here’s what we found out…
PCCOG has a Sports Ministry.
They offer open gym nights where there are specific sports being highlighted. We were able to verify which nights are attached to each sport. Monday nights are for those of you who have been searching for an indoor volleyball court. Tuesday nights welcome pickleball fans to the competition. But on Thursday nights, you have your choice between indoor soccer or basketball. Games on each of these nights, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Their social media page suggests that no experience is required, and you can just show up and play. So, even if you haven’t played since high school, or never played at all, come play. We do suggest checking their social media for updates on availability.
Yes, we know that some of you aren’t interested in the no-experience-necessary kinds of sports. You said so in your comments, wanting something above beginner status. Having done this research for you, we think you will find what you’re looking for through the Plant City Parks and Recreation Department’s scheduled adult leagues. Especially given the news, they are considering volleyball too! And it might be possible to get a group of regulars over at PCCOG.
But, if that’s not the fix for you, we suggest doing what the guy who started the whole Trash Bash thing is doing. Put it out there. If you have an idea to make Plant City a more enjoyable place to live, that gives residents healthier options, absolutely put it out there! And then see who else played sports in high school and has gotten their second wind, or has realized these vessels need some more active care. Whichever route you choose, we are certain there are people who are willing to join you on it. Happy sporting!
