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Leander Liberty Hill Edition VOLUME 3, ISSUE 5 AUG. 19 SEP. 17, 2025
Pickleball booms in Central Texas
has become one of the most popular new pastimes in America, and as the sport continues to grow, facilities that cater to the booming industry are cropping up in Central Texas. Six pickleball courts were added to Southwest Williamson County Regional Park in Leander in 2024, and pickleball courts can be found at Veter- ans Memorial Park in Cedar Park, The Crossover, the Cedar Park Recreation Center and TopShot. In Liberty Hill, people can play pickleball at the
Freestyle Community Center. With pickleball’s continued popularity, private companies are investing more and more in the sport. At the end of 2025, a $16 million pickleball facility with a bar and restaurant is expected to open in Cedar Park. Apex Pickleball Club will be a 49,000-square-foot building with 16 indoor courts and a full bar and restaurant.
BY SAM SCHAFFER
At a community input session for Leander’s upcoming senior activity center, Mayor Christine DeLisle met with constituents and heard their wishlist for the center’s amenities. One request dominated the conversation. “They love pickleball,” DeLisle said after the session in April. “I hear that loud and clear.” The Leander community is not alone. Pickleball
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Central Texas venues like The Crossover have seen a large uptick in pickleball players over the last few years. (Sam Schaer/Community Impact)
Also in this issue
Impacts
Page 6
Education
Page 13
Government Page 18 Read about how the Leander Police Department is changing to meet community needs
Check out new coee spot 7 Brew, now open in Leander
Learn about an upcoming pay increase for Liberty Hill ISD teachers
LUXU Y LIVING FOR 55+ ACTIVE ADULTS LUXU
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Brokers Welcome. Regency at Santa Rita Ranch is a 55+ active-adult community intended to operate under the Housing for Older Person’s Act of 1995, as amended. One resident must be 55+. Prices subject to change without notice. Photos are images only and should not be relied upon to confirm applicable features. This is not an oering where prohibited by law. Toll Brothers Real Estate, Inc. RegencyatSantaRitaRanch.com/Impact 500 Sweetgrass Ct, Liberty Hill, TX 78642 | 833-405-8655
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LEANDER LIBERTY HILL EDITION
Start a conversation with a doctor who listens New family medicine doctor in Liberty Hill
Get connected to the right care close to home
Do you have health questions or symptoms that have been weighing on your mind or waiting on your list? Talk with Nick Hadley, DO, at Liberty Hill Physician Associates, now a part of Ascension Medical Group Seton. He takes the time to get to know you and your family’s health history and creates a personalized care plan.
• Annual checkups, physicals, and sick visits • Care for children age 5 and older • Screenings • Care for new symptoms and chronic conditions
• Care for the whole you, including mental and emotional health • Scheduling imaging and lab tests • Connections to specialists
Nick Hadley, DO Family Medicine
Liberty Hill Physician Associates, now part of Ascension Medical Group Seton 14365 Highway 29W, Suite 10, Liberty Hill, TX 78642
Scan the QR code to schedule an appointment online or call 512-900-7282.
Ascension Seton © Ascension 2025. All rights reserved.
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Owners John and Jennifer Garrett launched Community Impact in 2005, and the company is still locally owned today with editions across Texas. Our mission is to provide trusted news and local information that everyone gets. Our vision is to build communities of informed citizens and thriving businesses through the collaboration of a passionate team. Our purpose is to be a light for our readers, customers, partners and each other by living out our core values of Faith, Passion, Quality, Innovation and Integrity. About Community Impact
Market leaders & metro team
Reporters Brittany Anderson Katlynn Fox Dacia Garcia Elisabeth Jimenez Anna Maness Haley McLeod Hannah Norton Karoline Pfeil Sam Schaer Brooke Sjoberg Ben Thompson Joel Valley Gracie Warhurst Sienna Wight Chloe Young Graphic Designers Abbey Eckhardt Alissa Foss Abigail Jones Sabrina Musachia
Denise Seiler General Manager dseiler@ communityimpact.com
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LEANDER LIBERTY HILL EDITION
Impacts
Leander
for tongue and lip ties. • Opened June 23 • 15141 Ronald Reagan Blvd., Stes. 517-519, Leander • www.littlesproutsdentistry.com 3 One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning of Northwest Austin The company, which has dozens of branches nationwide, specializes in heating, cooling, and indoor air quality. The new branch is based in Leander but services the entire Northwest Austin metro, including Hudson Bend, Liberty Hill, Georgetown, Lago Vista, Jonestown and Cedar Park. • Opened mid-July • 775 CR 270, Unit 203, Leander • www.onehourheatandair.com/nw-austin/ 4 Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids The new hair salon for kids held its grand opening on July 12. Kids can get their haircuts in a variety of car-shaped barber chairs while watching a selection of cartoons and YouTube videos. Older kids can also use gaming stations to play video games while getting a trim, or can go into the private Tween Lounge for a spa-like pampering experience. The studio also o ers manicures, shampoos and styling options. • Opened July 12 • 15609 Ronald Reagan Blvd., Ste. B-160, Leander • www.sharkeyscutsforkidsleander.com/ Bee Organized The mobile organizing business based out of Leander is now o ering its services to the Austin area. Owned by Christina Kjar, the business o ers assistance with organizing homes and businesses, moving management, concierge services and more. • Opened June 30 • www.beeorganized.com/northwest-austin • 737-777-9014
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• Opened July 12 • 3651 N US Hwy 183, #160, Leander • Instagram: @clintsliquor10
Now open
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1 Clint’s Liquor #10 The liquor store chain opened their 10th Austin-area store in Leander on July 12. Clint’s has been operating for more than 40 years, and has locations in Austin, Georgetown, Bastrop and more. The store o ers a wide selection of beer, wine, liquor, mixers and bartending supplies.
.
Coming soon
2 Little Sprouts Pediatric Dentistry The new dentistry clinic for children opened in the Leander area this June. The o¡ce, overseen by Dr. James McNair, provides dental services for young children, including ¤llings, cleanings, emergency services, preventative care and specialized laser therapy
5 Axiom Church The new house of worship is set to open this fall. Pastor Josiah Weece and his wife Jessica envision the church as a place for people who have no relationship or a bad
Cedar Park
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1407 N. Bell Blvd. (Hwy 183) Cedar Park 512-260-5050 HillCountryWaterGardens.com
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
BY COMMUNITY IMPACT STAFF
relationship with other churches and want to rebuild. • Opening October 5, 2025 • 501 Municipal Dr., Leander • www.axiomchurch.com 6 Building Kidz of Leander The new early education and performing arts academy will be holding its grand opening in early fall. The school has dozens of locations throughout 11 states. The Leander branch will be the ¤rst Building Kidz school in Texas. • Opening fall 2025 • 2629 Palmera Ridge Blvd, Bldg. 3, Leander • www.buildingkidzschool.com/schools/leander 7 Pink Zebra Moving of Round Rock The company, which will primarily service Round Rock, P¥ugerville, Hutto, Leander, Cedar Park, Georgetown and Taylor, also o ers professional packing services, loading and unloading labor, and furniture rearranging services. • Opening Aug. 18
Now open
Now open
10 7 Brew The drive-thru co ee stand sells a range of hot and iced co ee drinks, teas, smoothies, milkshakes and energy drinks, including signature beverages such as the Bahama Mama 7 Fizz Soda and the Snickerdoodle Frozen Mocha Chiller. • Opened August 11 • 19386 Ronald Reagan Blvd., Leander • www.7brew.com
13 The 50 Yardline Sports Training Owner Wali Muhammed said the facility specializes in training for speed and agility. The age range for current participants is 6-18. The business o ers small group training sessions, one-on-one sessions, performance testing and more. • Opened July 20 • 10921 E. Crystal Falls Parkway, Ste. 604, Leander • www.meetmeatthe50.com
• 1305 S. Mays St., Ste. B, Round Rock • www.pinkzebramoving.com/roundrock
What’s next
8 Smiling Donuts A new branch of the donut chain, which has locations in Round Rock and P¥ugerville, is slated to open in September, according to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. The shop o ers a menu of donuts, pastries and boba teas. • 18145 Ronald Reagan Blvd., Ste 120, Leander • No phone number or website available
• 901 Crystal Falls Pkwy, Ste. 103, Leander • www.austinregionalclinic.com
the state, with o¡ces in the Austin, Houston, Dallas and San Antonio metros. • 1789 South Bagdad Road, Ste. 101, Leander • www.independencetitle.com/
11 BLUSH Boot Camp Co-owners Nancy Winston and Julie Benavides took over the women-only workout facility on July 7. BLUSH aims to provide a space for women to feel safe and build community.
Closings
In the news
14 The Republic Kitchen + Bar The restaurant and bar, which o ered a wide selection of cocktails, local beers, burgers, wings, and other pub food favorites, had been operating out of Leander since 2019. • Closed July 3 • 15609 Ronald Reagan Blvd., Leander • https://therepublickitchen.com/ leander-the-republic-kitchen-bar-food-menu
• 2906 S. Bagdad Road, Ste. 300, Leander • www.Blushbootcamp.com/Leander-tx
9 Austin Regional Clinic The multispecialty medical group celebrated 45 years of operation on July 16. ARC was founded in 1980 by Dr. Norman Chenven and has grown to o er both specialty and primary care across 35 clinics in 15 cities, employing over 450 physicians and advanced practice clinicians, according to the clinic.
12 Independence Title The title company, which has o¡ces in Leander and throughout the Austin metro, celebrated its 20th anniversary. The company was started in 2005 and has grown to become one of the largest title companies in
7
LEANDER LIBERTY HILL EDITION
Impacts
Liberty Hill
and the space is geared toward weddings, parties and use by photographers, but it can accommodate a wide range of events. • Opening in December • 2921 Ranch Road 1869, Liberty Hill • www.soireelhevents.com 3 DBat Liberty Hill The baseball and softball training facility and batting cage is expected to open in October. Locally owned by Thomas and Amy Hood, the facility will be an all- encompassing baseball and softball training academy, featuring professional coaching, host camps and clinics, and pitching machines. The business will also have a pro shop with equipment and apparel and be able to host birthday parties. • Opening in October • 273 County Road 214, Liberty Hill • www.dbatlibertyhill.com
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• Opening September 15 • 101 Jonathan Drive, Ste. 5, Liberty Hill • www.b3dance.com
Coming soon
Relocations
1 B3 Dance Owned by Breanna Medina, the studio will cater to ages two and up. B3 will oer classes in ballet, jazz, hip hop, tap, contemporary and other dance styles. One of the studio’s focuses is ensuring students have the chance to perform, and the business oers a pre-professional program to prepare kids for a career in dance.
4 Black Diamond Automation The company, which specializes in high-level audio and visual equipment, relocated to Liberty Hill in July. Locally owned by Ryan Taylor, the business was previously operating o Hero Way in Leander. Taylor said the business oers home security systems, surveillance
2 Soirée Events and Studio The event and photography space is expected to open in Liberty Hill by the end of the year. Locally owned by Kayla and Brent Witbeck, the business will aim to provide an upscale setting at attainable prices. The venue has large windows that allow for natural lighting,
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systems, home theaters, speakers, general audio and visual assistance and anything related to setting up a smart home. • Relocated July 25 • 225 CR 214, Ste. 110, Liberty Hill • www.blackdiamondautomationtx.com 5 Open Door Baptist Church The church began operating out of its new location on July 6. Open Door Baptist formerly operated out of 13997 Texas Highway 29 in Liberty Hill. • Relocated July 6 • 225 Foust Dr., Liberty Hill • www.odb.church
Closings
Now open
7 The Hometown Watering Hole Facility issues and damages following the July 4 weekend ¡ooding were mentioned as one of the reasons for closing, according to a July 6 Facebook post. Susan Anderson, who was the owner of the bar when it closed, bought the business in 2020, according to its website. The restaurant had a full bar and food and hosted special events, including pool tournaments. • Closed July 6 • 3317 E. Hwy. 29, Bertram • www.hometownwateringhole.net 8 Taqueria El Gym The restaurant, which sold authentic Mexican food out of its location at Parker’s Corner Market, has closed. The taqueria oered tacos, burritos, tortas and more, and originally opened for business on May 30. • Closed July 28 • 1017 Main St., Liberty Hill • 512-363-2740
In the news
9 Kitfoxy’s Putt Putt & Pew Pew A new laser tag and miniature golf facility opened August 7. The 8,750 square foot warehouse will feature 2,000 square feet of space for the laser tag arena, in addition to two miniature golf courses with nine holes each. The facility has two party rooms that can be reserved for private events. • Opened August 7 • 350 County Road 277, Liberty Hill • www.kitfoxys.com
6 Brohn Homes Brohn Homes has started selling and leasing homes in the Cascade neighborhood in central Liberty Hill. Homes start in the high $200,000 range, and have multiple ¡oor plans to choose from. • Spokeshave Road, Liberty Hill • www.brohnhomes.com/ communities/texas/austin/liberty-hill/cascade
9
LEANDER LIBERTY HILL EDITION
Government
BY ANNA MANESS
Williamson County has been added to the Federal Disaster Declaration for the Federal Emer- gency Management Agency’s Public Assistance, or PA program, according to a July 18 news release. What happened? The county’s inclusion in the PA program allows local government entities to apply for FEMA assis- tance to be reimbursed for costs related to disaster rescue and recovery e orts, as well as damage to public property. The July 5 ood damaged several areas through- out the county, specically parts of Georgetown, Leander and Liberty Hill. Williamson County o- cials recovered three bodies of ood victims in the WilCo added to FEMA assistance program
Damages to public property in Williamson County include: 13 county roads One state road Bridges Public parks Trails Water infrastructure Wastewater infrastructure Utility infrastructure
SOURCE: WILLIAMSON COUNTY
Williamson County was added to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Public Assistance program, which allows government entities to apply for FEMA assistance and get reimbursed for damages to public property.
ANNA MANESSCOMMUNITY IMPACT
days that followed the natural disaster, Community Impact previously reported. The cost to repair damage to public property in the county is estimated to be $25 million, accord- ing to ocials with the Williamson County Oce of Emergency Management. FEMA will reimburse 75% of the cost of repairs through the PA program, per the release.
Remember this? On July 11, Williamson County residents became eligible to apply to FEMA’s Individual Assistance program, which could help residents with home repairs, temporary housing and more. Texans can also apply to the IA program at disasterassistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362.
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Government
BY ANNA MANESS & SAM SCHAFFER
Liberty Hill approves new wastewater treatment plant Liberty Hill City Council on June 25 approved a contract with Garver LLC for 30% design of the North Fork Wastewater Treatment Plant. The $1.35 million contract provides for project administration, design con rmation, 30% design, site survey and more for the wastewater treatment plant, according to
Williamson County weighs future jail site Discussions around the future relocation of Williamson County’s Jail and Justice Center continued during a July 15 Commissioners Court meeting, where ocials were split on moving forward with a contract to explore purchasing 481 acres of land in Florence. What we know The site county ocials are considering for the Jail and Justice Center complex relocation is located at about 6400 Hwy. 195, Florence. Ocials are looking at three parcels of land priced at $7 million total, according to county documents. Precinct 3 Commissioner Valerie Covey, whose precinct covers Georgetown and Florence, said approving the contract would allow county ocials to take a “detailed dive” into the property’s viability as a future Jail and Justice Center site, and determine if the county should move forward with
Florence
Proposed WilCo Jail and Justice Center complex site
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purchasing the land. “Today is not a decision of, ‘this is going to be the property,’” Covey said. “It’s actually just the next step so that we can do our due diligence and see if it is.” The vote Covey and Precinct 2 Commissioner Cynthia Long voted in favor of approving the contract, while County Judge Steven Snell and Precinct 4 Commissioner Russ Boles voted against it, with Precinct 1 Commissioner Terry Cook absent from court.
agenda documents. Two-minute impact
Garver will design a facility capable of treating up to 1.4 million gallons per day, and it will be expandable to 4.2 mgd, accord- ing to the documents. The preliminary design is expected to be completed around November.
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Exterior home renderings are for representation purposes only and subject to change. The Brohn Group, LLC (DBA Brohn Homes) reserves the right to make changes to pricing, floor plans, specifications, features, materials, dimensions, and incentives without prior notice. Stated dimensions and square footages are approximate and should not be used as representation of the home’s precise or actual size. Copyright 2025 Clayton Properties Group, Inc. DBA in Texas as Brohn Homes.
11
LEANDER LIBERTY HILL EDITION
Education
BY HANNAH NORTON
TEA to release latest AF school ratings
Legal action around AF system Date Action 2023 Aug. 15 Annual deadline to issue A-F ratings
updated every ve years. Morath told reporters April 22 that changes made in 2023 reected “how well schools close the gaps between students and how well they’re accelerating students, basically catching students up to grade level.” “It is absolutely mathematically possible for every [school] to get an A, but they have to earn it,” Morath said. “It’s not just given away.” The latest On July 3, Texas’ 15th Court of Appeals reversed a 2024 ruling by a Travis County district court, which had blocked the TEA from assign- ing AF ratings since September. The school districts said the TEA did not provide fair notice of changes to the accountabil- ity system. The appeals court noted that Morath has the authority to adopt new standards “at any time during a school year.”
A Texas judge ruled July 3 that the Texas Education Agency can release its pub- lic school accountability ratings for the 2023-24 school year. The scores were blocked for nearly one year after 33 school districts sued the TEA last August, arguing that the agency unfairly raised the bar for schools to earn a high score and waited too long to notify districts about the changes. TEA Commissioner Mike Morath has said he plans to release ratings for the 2024-25 school year Aug. 15, per state law. The background Accountability scores for the 2022-23 school year were released on April 24, marking the rst time since 2019 that schools received complete ratings, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the two lawsuits. State law requires that the AF system be
Districts sue TEA with concerns over 2023 rating system TEA delays release of 2023 ratings, originally set for Sept. 28 Travis County district court blocks release of 2023 ratings Second suit led; Travis County district court blocks 2024 ratings Following an in-person hearing, Travis County district judge further blocks 2024 ratings
Aug. 24
Sept. 12
Oct. 26
2024 Aug. 12
Sept. 18
2025 April 3
State appeals court rules 2023 ratings can be issued April 24 2023 ratings are released to the public
State appeals court rules 2024 ratings can be issued
July 3
SOURCES: TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY, TEXAS 15TH COURT OF APPEALS COMMUNITY IMPACT
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Education
BY CHLOE YOUNG
New and beginner educators who have received their teaching certi cation can expect to receive pay raises in Liberty Hill ISD next school year. The board of trustees approved 2% raises for certi ed classroom teachers with zero to two years of experience and other certi ed sta at a July 21 meeting. The action comes weeks after state lawmakers passed an $8.5 billion school funding package to provide raises for teachers with three or more years of experience. Zooming in In LHISD, certi ed teachers with zero to two years of experience will receive a 2% raise of $1,200 for a starting salary of $56,050, according to LHISD approves pay hike for beginner teachers
Liberty Hill ISD 202526 compensation plan LHISD is considering a $151,200 budget to fund the approved pay raises for new teachers and other certied sta.
Employee type
Pay raise
Number of employees Total cost to district
Certied teacher (0-2 years experience)
$1,200
55
$66,000
Certied non-teacher
$1,200
51
$61,200
Uncertied teacher (0-2 years experience)
$0
48
$0
Unknown future teachers for growth
N/A
20
$24,000
All positions
$151,200
SOURCE: LIBERTY HILL ISDCOMMUNITY IMPACT
the district’s presentation. Fifty- ve educators are expected to qualify for the raise. Certi ed educators that do not t the state’s de nition of a classroom teacher will also receive a 2% raise of $1,200. This includes 51 district employees, such as secondary school librarians, nurses, behavior interventionists, instructional coaches and specialists. LHISD administrators did not recommend
increasing compensation for uncerti ed teachers with zero to two years of experience, which will remain at a starting salary of $54,850. “It’s a group of teachers that play a signi cant role on the campuses, but unfortunately, the state has not given us any extra funds to help support this,” LHISD Human Resources Director Rebecca Owen said. Hannah Norton contributed to this article.
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LEANDER LIBERTY HILL EDITION
Transportation
BY SAM SCHAFFER
Liberty Hill annexes portion of CR 277
Leander approves pavement study Leander City Council on July 17 approved an agreement to have a pavement study conducted in the interest of developing its ve-year road maintenance plan. The $286,539.34 agreement with Applied Research Associates, Inc. provides for auto- mated data collection on roughly 352 miles of road, according to agenda documents. Two-minute impact Applied Research will use data collection vans with 3D scanning capabilities, accord- ing to the documents. A pavement condition index will be calculated for each segment of road. The PCI ranges from 0-100, with 100 being pavement in excellent conditions. In a 2021 survey, 279 miles of road had an average PCI of 84.3.
Annexed portion
277
Liberty Hill City Council voted July 23 to annex a 2.8-acre segment of CR 277. The segment of road begins at Hwy. 29 and extends about 1,700 feet north to Falcon Lane, according to agenda documents. The gist The approval of the request means Liberty Hill will take over jurisdiction of the segment of road from Williamson County, according to the documents. The city will now be responsible for managing the road, including enforcing infrastructure standards and ensuring the road’s appearance and functionality align with the future plans of the city. How we got here The approval rounds out a previous annexation
The Mansions at Liberty Hill
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that should have included the road segment, according to the documents. “When a city annexes property next to a county road, state law [Chapter 43 of the Texas Local Government Code] requires the city to also annex the part of the road that runs alongside it,” Interim Director of Planning McKenzi Hicks said. The city neglected to annex the required roadway when it annexed the Mansions at Liberty Hill, a planned development next to the roadway segment, Hicks said.
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LEANDER LIBERTY HILL EDITION
Events
BY KATLYNN FOX
Synth and Sip Night Owl Leander launched a recurring EDM night this summer on the last Wednesday of every month, with music starting at 9 p.m. Along with music, the bar o§ers specialty cocktails from its tiki menu, including a corn colada with tequila, corn tincture, coconut cream, lime and pineapple. • Aug. 27, 9 p.m.-12 a.m. • Free (entry) • 203 N Brushy St., Leander • www.instagram.com/nightowl_leander
August
6th Annual Back to School Sip & Shop at Turquoise Peacock Boutique Celebrate back-to-school season with this annual event, featuring sales, a mimosa bar, local vendors, giveaways and a 10% discount for teachers. • Aug. 16, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. • Free (entry) Bikes, Brews, & BBQ On the third Thursday of each month Shooters Billiards and Sports Bar hosts a gathering with bikes, beer specials and barbecue from Lance. Drink specials include $4 domestics, $5 draft pints and $4 wells. • Aug. 21, 7-11 p.m. • Free (entry) • 601 E Whitestone Blvd., Cedar Park • www.shootersbilliards.net/cedar-park-events Raas and Rhythm Garba Workshop Muqabala Dancers and Livvie Star Co. will host the workshop where participants will have a 90 minute high energy garba session. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in a professional, promotional video. Ages 15 and up are allowed to sign up for the event. • Aug. 24, 10 a.m.-noon, 12:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. • $19.32 (general admission) • 15141 Ronald Reagan Blvd., Unit 508, Leander • www.livviestar.com/events • 660 S Bagdad Road, #330, Leander • www.turquoisepeacockboutique.com Bellies & Brains Next Chapter Books and Bookmobile will host a free community meal at The Sweet Cupfé bakery that can be enjoyed in store or to-go. To register for the event text “PANCAKES” to 512-677-4530 or email Bellies.and. Brains.tx@gmail.com. The meal will include pancakes, hashbrowns, mu£ns, fruit, a protein and milk or juice. • Aug. 26, 5-7p.m. • Free (meal)
September
2025 CrossGames The Hobby Shop is hosting the 2025 CrossGames for remote control car drift racers; the competition takes place on Sept. 6 and the meet and greet takes place on Sept. 7. Price of registration includes competition entry, buzz break tires and a commemorative shirt. The event features drivers Ryo Ishii and Junta Shiroi, with judge Atsushi Ito. • Sept. 6, 11 a.m.; Sept. 7, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. • $100 (registration) Adult/Teen Craft Night Adults and teens can visit the Liberty Hill public library on Sept. 8 for its monthly craft night with the opportunity to mingle, snack and craft. The event is free with all materials provided and no experience is required. • Sept. 8 7-8:30 p.m. • Free (entry) • 355 Loop 332, Liberty Hill • www.lhpl.org/calendar National Chocolate Day: Run for Chocolates Runners and chocolate lovers can gather for a 5K, 10K or half marathon on Sept. 13 to celebrate National Chocolate Day. All skill levels and ages are welcome— those under 18 will need to be accompanied by a guardian. With registration, participants will receive a shirt, towel, medal, digital training pack and chocolate at the °nish line. • Sept. 13, 7:30 a.m. • $30-45 (registration) • 900 Lacy Drive, Leander • www.thehobbyshoptx.com
Austin Pug Club End of Summer Party Austin Pug Club will host a puppy party to commemorate the end of summer on Aug. 23 at Dog House Drinkery and Dog Park. Pugs are required to be vaccinated and socialized in order to attend. Attendees can expect pools of water for the dogs to play in and Kona ice for sale. • Aug. 23 6-8 p.m. • Free (entry)
• 3800 Co Road 175, Leander • www.doghousedrinkery.com
• 2040 Artesian Springs Crossing, Leander • www.¥indtherun.com/race/70327/national-chocolate- day-run-for-chocolates-austin-roundrock Second Saturday Sunset Market The Market LHTX returns for its monthly market on Sept. 13 from 5-9 p.m. in downtown Liberty Hill. The market highlights local vendors, artists and entrepreneurs selling locally grown food, wood- working, jewelry and crafts. • Sept. 13, 5-9 p.m. • Free (entry) • 102 West Myrtle Lane, Liberty Hill • www.themarketlhtx.com
• 305 North US Hwy 183, Leander • www.nextchapterbookmobile.com
FREE BASIC GUN SAFETY CLASS
TEXAS LICENSE TO CARRY
PROFESSIONAL FIREARMS TRAINING
GSTP.CO
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Events
BY KATLYNN FOX
EXPRESS BASEBALL HIGHLIGHTS
FRIDAY, AUGUST 29
THERES NO PLACE LIKE HOME PLATE
Volente Beach Resort and Waterpark will play host to several live performances in the coming month.
COURTESY OF CONNOR REUTER
POSTGAME FIREWORKS
• September 17: Cade Baccus, 6-8p.m. Dahlia Cafe 2540 Ranch Rd. 1869, Liberty Hill www.dahliacafe.com/calendar • August 22: Wake Eastman, 6:30-8:30p.m. • August 23: Family Shiloh, 6:30-8:30p.m. • August 29: Cade Baccus, 6:30-8:30p.m. • August 30: Deluxe Band, 6:30-8:30p.m. • September 5: Sieker Band, 6:30-8:30p.m. • September 6: Glen Collins, 6:30-8:30p.m. • September 12: Off The Grid, 6:30-8:30p.m. Haute Spot 1501 E New Hope Dr., Cedar Park www.hautespot.live/calendar • August 29: Eagles Tribute ft. Desert Highway, 6-11p.m. • August 30: Journey Tribute ft. Departure ATX, 6p.m. • August 31: WAR - 50th Anniversary of Hit Album “Why Can’t We Be Friends”, 5-11p.m. • September 5: Micky & the Motorcars, 6-11p.m. • September 6: Jimmie Allen - Stories Behind the Songs Acoustic Show, 6-11p.m. • September 18: Randall King, 5-10p.m. • September 19: Tom Sandoval & The Most Extras 6-11p.m.
Live music
SATURDAY, AUGUST 30
Volente Beach Resort and Waterpark 16107 Farm to Market Rd 2769 Ste. D, Leander www.volentebeach.com • August 15: Bruce Island Mind, 7-10p.m. • August 16: Sammy J 7-10p.m. • August 22: Aaron Gee 7-10p.m. • August 23: Evan Grubbs 7-10p.m. • August 28: Blaine Long 8-11p.m. • August 29: Garcia and Kopriva 7-10p.m. • August 30: Petty Players 7-10p.m. • August 31: Clutch Kings 7-10p.m. Shooters Billiards and Sports Bar 601 E Whitestone Blvd., Cedar Park www.shootersbilliards.net/ cedar-park-events • August 20: Cade Baccus, 6-8p.m. • August 21: DJ Cayotic, 9:30p.m. • August 22: Karaoke, 10p.m. • August 23: Denny Herrin, 10p.m. • August 27: Cade Baccus, 6-8p.m. • August 28: DJ Cayotic, 9:30p.m. • August 29: Karaoke, 10p.m. • August 20: Maxband, 9p.m. • September 3: Cade Baccus, 6-8p.m. • September 4: DJ Cayotic, 9:30p.m. • September 5: Karaoke, 10p.m. • September 10: Cade Baccus, 6-8p.m. • September 11: DJ Cayotic, 9:30p.m. • September 12: Karaoke, 10p.m.
PRESENTED BY
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13
MARVEL SUPER HERO NIGHT
PRESENTED BY
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LEANDER LIBERTY HILL EDITION
Government
BY SAM SCHAFFER
BY STEVE GUNTLI
Leander Police Department to review department culture
Cedar Park’s Firey Aerospace to go public Firey Aerospace, the Cedar Park-based space and defense rm that recently completed a suc- cessful moon landing, announced on July 11 that it would become a publicly-traded company with the launch of its initial public oering. Zooming in The dates and details of the IPO are still pend- ing. The company announced August 6 that it would be releasing 19,296,000 shares at $45 each. Firey announced it would be ling a Form S-1 registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission for an IPO of its stock. The company conrmed in a press release that the ticker symbol on the Nasdaq Global Market will be “FLY.” Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, Jeries and Wells Fargo Securities will be the primary managers for the proposed oering.
Liberty Hill approves storage facility site Liberty Hill City Council voted July 9 to approve the site plan and issue the development permit for a storage facility at 10107 Hwy. 29 in Liberty Hill. The 5.45-acre project includes three buildings with a combination of interior and exterior access storage units, according to agenda documents.
to ensure a positive working environment and success in operations as the city grows. How we got here Minton said he’s been with the department for 30 years. When he started, the department served about 3,000 people, he said. The city now estimates it has over 77,000 people in it. “I’ve seen a lot of changes over the last 30 years,” Minton said, noting that a newer genera- tion is coming onto the force now, and he wants to make sure the department’s culture is conducive to them having fullling careers. What else? Ultimately, Minton said maintaining a healthy culture at the department will result in better treatment of the community. He said he wants to avoid a situation where ocers are carrying negative feelings from the
The Leander Police Department will spend about seven months reviewing its culture and processes to ensure employees and ocers feel they work in a supportive environment that will be able to handle the city’s needs as it grows. An item passed at Leander’s June 17 City Council meeting allocated $85,000 for a contract supporting that initiative. The contract is with LION Organizational Development Institute LLC, according to agenda documents. The LION Institute Transition Model provides a structured and research-backed approach to managing organizational change by addressing the human and psychological aspects of transition, according to the documents. What’s going on? Leander Police Chief Greg Minton told Community Impact the assessment isn’t geared toward needed change. Instead, it is being done in the interest of assessing the department’s culture
“I want a healthy department. I want people to be able to feel that they’re able to bring up any issues if they have an issue that comes up. ” GREG MINTON, LEANDER CHIEF OF POLICE
Engineers assemble components for the Blue Ghost 1 lunar lander at Fire y’s facility in Cedar Park.
COURTESY FIREFLY AEROSPACE
Liberty Hill Storage facility site
department with them out into the eld. One more thing
Why it matters The IPO will allow Firey to become a
SUNSET RIDGE DR.
publicly-traded company on the New York Stock Exchange. Private companies will often go public to raise capital for growth and to increase their public prole, and are subject to much stricter government regulations.
Minton said initiating the assessment will set the department up for success after he's gone. “At some point, I’m going to retire, and I want to make sure that we’re lined up for success," he said.
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CEDAR PARK 13530 Ronald Reagan Blvd (512) 986-7681
Pickleball booms in Central Texas From the cover
What’s going on?
Liberty Hill
Georgetown
Pickleball has been the fastest growing sport in the country for three years, according to a 2024 report from the Sports and Fitness Industry Association, which said the sport had grown 223.5% in three years. The sport is widely predicted to continue gaining popularity. According to Pickleheads, an industry website that works alongside USA Pickleball, the industry may see an 11.3% compound annual growth rate for the sport’s market through 2028. “The pickleball community is really taking o,” said Adam Powell, general manager of The Crossover, a 240,000-square foot sports complex in Leander with two ice rinks, volleyball courts and more. Players say in addition to the gratifying and low- impact nature of the sport, the social aspect keeps them coming back for more. Apex will be geared toward fostering that. “It’s such a social sport,” said Bill Parodi, founder and CEO of Pickleplex Holdings, the parent company of the club and restaurant. Pickleball had a global market of $2.2 billion in 2024, and that number is expected to increase
Pickleball locations north of Austin Pickleheads, which maps locations where people can play pickleball, shows that there are several options in the Austin metro. 1 Freestyle Community Center 2 Cedar Park Recreation Center 3 Southwest Williamson County Regional Park 4 TopShot 5 Apex Pickleball Club (upcoming) 6 The Crossover to $9.1 billion by 2034, according to market.us. Powell said he’s seen a big increase in pickleball interest over the last few years, with an increased number of local leagues signing up for spaces at The Crossover. “The courts are full it seems like every possible hour of operation,” he said.
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The big picture
There are now 68,458 pickleball courts in the country, 18,455 of which were added in 2024, according to USA Pickleball. Texas saw the largest proportional increase in courts from 2023 to 2024, with o erings expanding by 14.5%, according to TeachMe.To, a company that partners people with freelance athletic coaches, including pickleball coaching. Locally, the Austin area has been dubbed “Amer- ica’s Pickleball Capital” by TeachMe.To. According to the site, there are 8,000 to 10,000 people who play pickleball at least twice per month in the city, and court reservation systems consistently show 70%-80% use during peak hours. And the sport is changing as it grows. Parodi said most players used to be over 45, but now a younger crowd is moving into the scene—a demographic shift he considered in planning his new Cedar Park club. In 2024, the 25-34 age bracket made up 28.8% of players nationally, the largest age demographic to play the game, according to Pickleheads, which partners with USA Pickleball.
Global pickleball market The pickleball market, which includes things like paddles, nets, apparel, balls, court construction and more, is projected to grow exponentially, reaching $9.1 billion in 2034, according to market.us.
Apparel
Footwear
Equipment
Actual growth
Forecasted growth
$10B
+313.6%
$8B
$6B
$4B
$2B
2024 2025* 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 2034 $0 *AS OF JULY 2025
SOURCE: MARKET.USCOMMUNITY IMPACT
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
BY SAM SCHAFFER
What they’re saying
Looking ahead
Breanna Escochea, 37, said she’s met people she wouldn’t have without playing pickleball. “This is like a demographic I wouldn’t nor- mally cross paths with, but getting to has been really great,” she explained. “I’ve made some really good friends in a di erent season of life, which I think is good for anybody to do.” Escochea said she got into pickleball about a year and a half ago after other sports began to seem risky. “I played sports in high school, and I thought when I got a certain age sports was kind of o the table because I kept getting hurt,” she said. “Then I found pickleball, and it’s just such a low barrier to entry, you can get good at it pretty quickly and you can play it forever.” Senior players gravitate to the sport for its accessibility and ease of play. “It’s relatively easy on your joints,” RobBob Wucher, 71, said, explaining that he’s been playing pickleball for around 10 years, and when
As pickleball picks up steam, the sport is venturing into more serious competitions as well. Pro circuits now tour the country entertaining paying spectators. Parodi said the Austin area is a hub for serious players. The wide range of facilities lends well to practice and coaching. From May 23-26, Major League Pickleball hosted one of its regular season events at Austin Pickle Ranch. Twenty-two teams competed to earn a spot in the playos in August. Additionally, Players in the PPA tour travel the country competing for the top spots in the league’s rankings. The ultimate goal is to compete in and win at the PPA Finals held San Clemente California, according to the PPA Tour.
he started playing, people were still using Ping- Pong paddles. He said he and his wife host an annual pick- leball party with people they’ve met through playing. “All our friends now are pickleballers,” Wucher said. Pickleball resembles a combination of Ping-Pong and tennis. Players run back and forth on smaller courts to hit a ball back and forth over a net. Only the serving team can score, and games are typically played to 11. BILL PARODI, FOUNDER AND CEO OF PICKLEPLEX HOLDINGS
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Business
BY KATLYNN FOX
According to founder Scott Calame, “You May” bourbon is a best-selling spirit for the Leanderthal Lounge.
Scott Calame started the Leanderthal brand after having a career in advertising and law; he said both backgrounds gave him transferable skills that he used to build his brand.
PHOTOS BY KATLYNN FOXCOMMUNITY IMPACT
It’s always 5 o’clock at Leanderthal Lounge For Leanderthal Lounge founder Scott Calame, the appeal of developing local craft liquors, and a space to share it with others, is all about creativity, community and value. The 21+ tasting lounge opened to Leander residents in 2019 following the success of Calame’s spirits line, Leanderthal Distilling.
Prices for cocktails at the lounge typically range between $8 9.
agave spirit, comparable to a tequila, pioneered the distillery’s current lineup, consisting of Leanderthal Vodka, Tasteless Vodka. Triple Secession Orange Liquor, You May bourbon and more. On the menu Menu items at the lounge include liquor exclu- sively made in house, per the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. One of their signature drinks is the Basil Fawlty, which is fresh basil muddled with a little bit of sugar, lemon juice and Whit’s Leander Dry Gin or one of their vodkas. “It’s very aromatic,” Calame said. “One of my favorite descriptions a customer ever said about it was ‘Oh my God, this is like drinking the garden!’”
“The goal was to make sure everything we do is that it is the intersection of quality and aordabil- ity,” said Calame. Respecting the craft The distillery rst opened in 2016 after Calame’s interest in home brewing led him to begin exper- imenting with agave nectar, an idea that turned into the rst ocial product: TexAgave. The blue
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11894 Hero Way W A, Leander www.leanderthaltx.com
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LEANDER LIBERTY HILL EDITION
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