KC’s pro pickleball team getting new $6.5M home near Arrowhead, Kauffman Stadium
May 29, 2025 | Startland News Staff
A long-awaited redevelopment project in Kansas City’s stadium corridor is transforming the former CoCo Key Water resort into a vibrant destination pickleball facility with eight indoor courts, a full-service bar and restaurant, a coffee shop, and event spaces.
It also will be home to the Kansas City Stingers, a professional team in the National Pickleball League that launched in 2024 from Leawood.
SW19 at the Stadium — led by Community Builders of Kansas City (CBKC), in partnership with SW19 Pickleball — is expected to open June 11 at 9119 E 39th St. An all-ages grand opening celebration 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. is set to include free open play, play with a pro experiences, food and drink specials, and giveaways.
The project addresses a need for economic revitalization in the corridor, as well as a response to growing demand for pickleball facilities in the metro, said Emmet Pierson Jr., president and CEO of CBKC.
“We’re thrilled to finally open our doors to the Kansas City community,” he said. “This project represents our continued commitment to changing the landscape of Kansas City, while adding 39 new jobs.
The Kansas City Stingers — co-owned by CBKC, Julie Gibson, and Daryl Wyatt — are just one piece of the puzzle, emphasized Wyatt, who also owns SW19 Tennis and Pickleball.
Community Builders of Kansas City is a not-for-profit community development corporation that acts as a community convener, facilitator and resource for services. Since 1991,CBKC has invested $300 million in urban renewal.
The $6.5 million SW19 at the Stadium facility aims to grow pickleball in Kansas City, not just cater to existing players, he said.
“We’re developing relationships with local youth organizations and school districts to invite the youth to come and learn the sport, no matter their skill level or experience,” said Wyatt, a former professional tennis player who played on the ATP Tour and has almost three decades of coaching experience, during which he has developed both local and nationally ranked junior players.
“We want SW19 at the Stadium to be a place where kids can come after school to hang out, play, learn, and dream big,” he added, noting the opportunities for young players as colleges begin to offer scholarships for pickleball.
ICYMI: Why a staunch tennis purist put down his racket for a paddle
Wyatt currently plays on the Stingers and is ranked third in the world in the APP Champions Division in Men’s Pro Doubles.
More than just courts, SW19 at the Stadium is expected to offer a full-service dining area — with a menu led by Keeyoung Kim of Chingu, Sura Eats, and Chingu Coffee — and court views, a centerpiece bar, and a full-service coffee shop serving locally-roasted coffee
Hours for SW19 at the Stadium are set for 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays; 6 a.m. to midnight Fridays; 7 a.m. to midnight Saturdays; and 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays. Restaurant, bar, and coffee bar hours vary.
Featured Business

2025 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
KC Outpost, local charm lures hundreds of SXSW attendees
Kansas City made a splash at the SXSW Conference thanks to a concerted effort to engage thousands mingling in downtown Austin. Led by the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, LaunchKC, the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and Husch Blackwell, the KC Outpost welcomed hundreds of people curious to learn more about the area. Featuring speakers,…
Integrated Roadways founder featured on CNN as autonomous vehicle expert
A Kansas City startup founder recently was featured on CNN as an industry expert for his knowledge on autonomous vehicles and the infrastructure that can support them. After being discovered via a weekend panel discussion at the SXSW Conference, Integrated Roadways founder Tim Sylvester recently was hosted on CNN’s Quest Means Money show. Sylvester’s startup…
KU event to connect hundreds of students with KC startups
To boost Kansas City’s growing startup community, the University of Kansas is hosting an event hoping to connect students with future employer prospects. Set for 2:00 p.m. on April 11, the KU Startup Job and Internship Fair expects to host about 200 students and over 20 area startups to connect and learn from presentations. The…
With cocktails in hand, VergeKC kicks off its high-growth tech startup series
An Indianapolis-based event series aimed at cultivating high-growth tech companies outside of Silicon Valley debuted its inaugural event in Kansas City on Tuesday. Verge — which hosts pitch forums in 11 Midwestern and southern metros — has a mission to accelerate community entrepreneurs through a curated approach that targets specific people and companies. Kansas City hub director…







