The Club at Mediterra within the 1,697-acre gated Mediterra community two-miles north of Immokalee Road on Livingston Road in North Naples is set to resume its highly popular tennis, pickleball, and bocce ball programs this fall.
The programs are three of the wide variety of amenities at Mediterra designed to support an active, health-oriented lifestyle. The community’s Sports Club is situated adjacent to Mediterra’s grand 25,000 square-foot Mediterranean-style clubhouse at the community’s piazza. In addition to the tennis, pickleball, and bocce ball facilities, the Sports Club features a fitness center outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment and offers fitness classes ranging from aerobics to Zumba, wellness programs, personal trainers, aesthetic services, three spa rooms, and a swimming pool with a sunning deck and smoothie bar.
Mediterra’s tennis program is acknowledged as one of the country’s best. Award-winning facilities, a staff that includes certified instructors and teaching professionals, and the nearly 200 Club members who regularly play make tennis one of the highlights of Mediterra’s lifestyle. Facilities include a dedicated tennis pro shop and eight Har-Tru tennis courts, including a stadium court and a coliseum court. The coliseum court was recognized by the U.S. Court and Track Builders Association for its design and construction. The U.S. Tennis Association has acknowledged the program for its outstanding facilities. Regularly scheduled events, including daily complimentary round robins, clinics, cardio tennis, traveling teams, and an annual Club Championship, allow tennis enthusiasts to stay actively engaged in the program. The fall tennis program will kick-off with a Tennis October Fest on Saturday, October 20th from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
“One reason our program is recognized among the best is our facilities,” said Michael Baldwin, Mediterra’s Director of Tennis and Pickle Ball and a USTA Certified Tennis Professional and ITPA Certified Pickle Ball Instructor. “They’re absolutely beautiful with hedges around the fences, the lavish stadium and coliseum courts, the pergola viewing area between the two courts, and the pride our team takes in maintaining the facilities. Our members and staff make everyone feel welcomed no matter their skill level. There were 14 league teams during the 2018 winter season. Our teams cover all levels, from beginners to our annual Club Championship. There are teams for everybody.”
Mediterra’s 2018 winter tennis season culminated with a celebration that included presentations of awards to Club Champions in 21 divisions that featured 80 participants competing in singles, doubles, and mixed-doubles matches over a two-month period. The celebration also recognized the achievements of Mediterra’s league teams and acknowledged the efforts of the team captains.
“The 2018 winter tennis season at Mediterra was outstanding,” said Baldwin. “The number of residents who participate in the program continued to grow and the Club Championship was a huge success. During the off-season, we’ve continued our popular cardio tennis sessions, as well as our clinics, and round robins that are held four days a week. Many beginners find cardio tennis an ideal way to become increasingly adept at the game and make new friendships at the same time. Cardio tennis sessions are held three mornings per week and are open to all skill levels. Participants run and hit tennis balls while listening to upbeat music. It’s a workout more than it is about how good of a tennis player you are, and the repetitive ball striking allows beginners to become comfortable with the game while improving their fitness. As they hit more balls, or take private lessons, group lessons, or jump into a few round robins, most folks get onto a league team. Some people just want to take lessons, or to just have us help them find a game.”
Mediterra’s tennis program provides avenues for players, including beginners, to become engaged with the game and with the social opportunities participation affords. Male and female teaching professionals work with those who are new to tennis and with those intent on refining their games. An active reach-out effort ensures new Club members are able to familiarize themselves with the tennis program and become involved at a level that suits their individual preferences.
“Every new member will get a call from our staff offering them a complimentary evaluation/lesson,” said Baldwin. “We’re going to get you out there and give you that as our treat. Other members will walk by and we’ll introduce you to them. We’re going to assess your level, and we’re going to see if you want to get on a team right away, or if you’re a little apprehensive about that and you just want to do lessons. After a few lessons, most people get comfortable with jumping into our lower level round robins and lower level clinics. Our teaching professionals have fantastic resumes, as well as an uncanny ability to make even the rawest beginner feel welcomed and at ease.”
While the tennis program continued to grow, pickleball was the star of the 2018 winter season at Mediterra. The pickleball program is also overseen by Michael Baldwin. Three new pickleball courts with a highly forgiving, Laykold masters’ gel surface that reduces the force of impact by 17%, have oversized perimeter areas that allow each court to stand alone without interfering with play on adjacent courts. The Club’s first Pickleball Championship was held last winter. This fall, a Pickleball Party will be held Thursday, November 15th from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
“Some people felt tennis was too much area to cover and had too much impact on the body, so they’re loving pickleball,” said Baldwin. “It’s taken off big time. Last winter we had about 200 people on our pickle ball interest list and about 100 actively playing. We did our first Pickleball Championship and 47 unique members in ten divisions signed up for that. We’ll be starting league teams just like we have with tennis. We’re looking at possibly putting in four more courts. We have our pickle ball 101 for people who have never played before, then there’s pickle ball 201, and skills and drills. We have round robins practically every day. Some are playing pickle ball and deciding to give tennis a try, so it’s adding to the tennis program.”
More than 700 members enjoy competing on Mediterra’s bocce ball courts. In addition to the spirited play on the courts, the Bocce Garden overlooking a splendid green space lined with manicured floral displays features the Bocce Bar that contributes to a fun-filled social atmosphere. Bocce fall Open Play will start Thursday, November 1st from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. The celebration will feature a complimentary wine tasting.
London Bay Homes, an award-winning homebuilder and developer in the Southwest Florida luxury home market for more than three decades, manages all new home construction sales and marketing for Mediterra. Purchasers of homes by London Bay are eligible to secure a full golf membership immediately rather than being placed on the membership waiting list as a Limited Golf Member. Numerous purchase opportunities remain available in Mediterra. Available choices include London Bay’s new collection of furnished model homes, as well as home sites showcasing water and preserve views.
Visit the Mediterra Sales Center at 15836 Savona Way off Livingston Road two miles north of Immokalee Road. The Sales Center and award-winning model residences by London Bay Homes are open daily. Visit Mediterra online at MediterraNaples.com.
