St Pete votes to turn jai-alai court into a parking lot Posted on April 1, 2025 at 07:15:57 PM by Jeff "Laca" Conway
The St. Pete city council tonight approved the destruction of the jai-alai court - America's first and only one - to become a parking lot.
For nearly two decades the Edgemoor Homeowners Association, lead by Tom "Corky" DeMint had fought such plans. But overwhelming request to expand the parking lot to accommodate the large crowds for soccer matches on weekends prevailed. The existing sparking lots were always full, and residents near Puryear Park were tired of blocked driveways and people parking on their grass.
Tonight, by a 6-2 vote, the measure passed. The jai-alai court and adjuring soccer practice court will be demolished and replaced with a parking lot designed for 54 cars.
Paul Kubala and Tom "Corky" DeMint lobbied to have the court approved nearly 18 years ago.
The court is expected to be closed later this spring and the parking lot ready for the next Calander year of school in August.
Tiger's Jai-Alai Chalk Talk
