PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — Among the devastation from the summer hurricanes includes multiple volleyball courts in Gulfport. 

What You Need To Know

  • Six Gulfport volleyball courts were destroyed by the hurricanes 

  • There are plans to rebuild the courts

  • While there is no date on when they may be operational, there is hope they'll be finished by the summer

From leagues, tournaments, to a fun place for the public to play, little of the courts remain. 

For Tyler Penberthy, who has been playing and coaching volleyball for years, this creates some challenges. 

“Not having the Gulfport courts has really hindered my business running private lessons and coaching,” he said.

The six volleyball courts that sat next to the water in Gulfport are no longer seen. 

Instead, a fence surrounds the area as water seeps into places it never used to touch. 

“It’s just really hard to see the devastation caused by the hurricane,” Penberthy said. “We had these beautiful fenced-in courts with lights and lines, nets, antennas and everything we needed as beach volleyball players. And now it’s sadly all gone.” 

Gulfport City Manager James O’Reilly said despite the extensive damage, the city plans to rebuild the courts. 

While an exact date isn’t known, he’s hopeful players will be able to return next summer.