Puryear Park Renovations Start Wednesday in anticipation of Battle Court Event
St. Pete: August 23, 2026: America’s first and only public jai-alai court will be closed to the public this Wednesday thru late Friday afternoon an in anticipation of its first ever “Battle Court” Event this Saturday. So, the cancha will be off limits on August 26th, 27th and a good portion of Friday the 28th. The event starts at 10:30am Saturday, the 29th. A large tent will be set up for spectators for shade protection, as this is Florida in the summertime and feel like temps can easily hit 100 degrees with the sun out.
Renovations are a needed, ongoing necessity for any outdoor facility that takes a daily beating like this cancha does.
Starting Wednesday, led by the great Puryear Park court contracting crew of Scott King and Eric Lanctot, court founder Paul Kubala. Volunteers Rastock, Garby, Butler, Alex will be assisting them in this week’s project.
Hopefully they will be able to complete the final repairs to the front wall (as noted in video). A stucco crew will chip off the loose areas and float out coating of sika quick VOH vertical grout. This alone is a major project.
Other work needed includes reattaching a 3” pole at the gate and fix the large overhead sunscreen that also protects spectators outside the cancha with the huge netting.
Some spline on the top of the side wall will be replaced.
And for cosmetic reasons to help judge calls going off the court, red paint metal strip on the side wall at the top and the choppa. Balls are considered off the court when it hits the top of the wall, which the red will help identify better. Same old true for the front wall’s choppa.
Hope to see everyone Saturday at 10:30!
