Q&A: On & Off The Court at The Yards at Amelia

Photography by on September 17th, 2024 in Editorials, Lifestyle

Dennis Rodriguez & Jencarlos Canela

Hialeah, FL -September 17, 2024 – “As a kid born and raised in Hialeah — 7min from The Yards — my ‘yard’ was where I had some of my best childhood memories.”

Homegrown actor, singer, and entrepreneur Jencarlos Canela had a vision to create a space right at home where his community can gather, savor local flavors, network with other individuals, play sports, and enjoy from a wide range of entertainment. The Yards at Amelia is the culmination of all of these dreams.

 “Our venue was created by the locals for the locals and everyone looking for a place to feel at home,” shares business partner Dennis Rodriguez. “We are proud to be the first and only indoor facility in our city with eight indoor pickleball courts and a singles tennis practice court, fostering a creative space that celebrates the love of pickleball and sports overall equipped with a mega screen and TVs for watch-parties.”

Beyond sports and entertainment, The Yards also features a vast outdoor space where individuals can savor a variety of foods from local businesses. “Our food and beverages offer homestyle comfort, infused with local flavors from the diverse cultures that make up our community,” shares business partner Alex Ruiz.

“The Yards is an open canvas, and you can expect it to evolve with new experiences that reflect the desires of our community members — We are, and will continue to be, a sports and entertainment social club.”

WRE: What inspired the concept behind this venue? 

Jencarlos Canela:  Growing up in Hialeah, just seven minutes from The Yards at Amelia, I created some of my fondest memories there. Whether it was playing sports with family and friends, sharing meals, or celebrating at our epic family parties, that space was special. When we started brainstorming for our 20,000 sq. ft. building, our goal was to capture that magic and bring those experiences together under one roof. We wanted to celebrate our local flavors and identity while supporting the small business owners who are the heart of our community. Our vision was to create a vibrant yard where sports, food, and entertainment unite friends and families.

WRE: Jencarlos and Dennis, can you tell us a bit about your background and how your partnership to create The Yards at Amelia came together? 

JC: I started singing at the age of six, performing in backyards across Hialeah. Gradually, I made my way to local festivals, where a TV producer discovered me, leading to my debut as an actor on Telemundo. In 2010, I celebrated my first #1 on Billboard, followed by multiple chart-topping albums and gold, platinum, and diamond singles. As both an actor and singer-songwriter, I continued to find success with networks like Univision, Televisa, NBC alongside Eva Longoria, as well as Fox, ABC, Netflix, Paramount+, and HBO.

After the pandemic, I decided to diversify my career by teaming up with a friend to produce live events, which opened my eyes to the behind-the-scenes work that makes a show successful. While I was used to being in the spotlight, I learned a whole new side of production that fascinates me.

Looking ahead, I’ve always dreamed of owning skyscrapers. Architecture and entrepreneurship have always captivated me, and this brings me to a new chapter in my life with my partnership at Prestige. I truly consider this team my family, and every day I learn something new. This has been one of the most significant steps in my entrepreneurial journey, bringing me closer to my dream of owning that skyscraper.

I’ve always proudly represented Hialeah and even tried to acquire airspace from a former mayor years ago, who playfully told me I was a bit too early. My vision has always been to invest in real estate in my hometown, and now that dream is becoming a reality. I’m excited about the future with this partnership, where I can combine my passion for real estate with Prestige’s goals in commercial development. There’s so much more to come!

Jencarlos Canela & Dennis Rodriguez

We wanted to recreate a huge yard where sports, food, and entertainment brought friends and families together.

Jencarlos Canela

WRE: The Yards at Amelia is described as an “elevated urban backyard oasis.” Tell us a bit about the design and atmosphere guests can expect. 

Dennis Rodriguez: We are proud to be the first and only indoor facility in our city with eight indoor pickleball courts and a singles tennis practice court. Our venue is a creative space that celebrates the love of pickleball and sports, featuring a mega screen and TVs for watch parties. Our food and beverages offer homestyle comfort, infused with local flavors from the diverse cultures that make up our community.

What makes pickleball special is its blend of high-level competition and recreational fun. While we provide pro-grade surfaces and equipment, we’ve designed our space to maintain that inviting, backyard vibe—ensuring everyone, whether a seasoned pro or a first-time player, feels welcome. Many visitors come for an event, party, or to enjoy our food trucks, and find themselves trying pickleball for the first time because the atmosphere is so friendly and relaxed, unlike other venues.

In addition to pickleball, our business model thrives on hosting events, shows, and parties, creating a winning and profitable formula. From the moment you enter through the food truck court, where the aroma of abuela’s cooking fills the air, to the vibrant pickleball paradise inside, you’ll find music playing and people socializing as they watch matches. It’s all about creating a friendly, welcoming experience for everyone who walks through our doors.

Jencarlos Canela & Dennis Rodriguez

Our venue was created by the locals for the locals and everyone looking for a place to feel at home. 

Dennis Rodriguez

WRE: What makes your venue stand out from other entertainment venues and courts in Miami? 

DR: Our venue was built by locals for locals, creating a space where everyone can feel at home. We developed it step by step, valuing every opinion and intention of those who walked through our doors. As owners, we rolled up our sleeves—cleaning, making repairs, painting—enjoying the process and the community we were fostering.

We’ve chosen tenants who genuinely love and believe in our city, focusing on good ideas from good people. Our guiding question wasn’t about profit; it was about identity. Who are we? What does our community need? Many visitors to Hialeah suggest we should emulate the vibes of Wynwood, The Design District, or NYC, but we believe in cultivating a unique Hialeah vibe that truly reflects our city’s spirit.

We are a genuine sports and events facility, shaped by our values and the community around us. We collaborate with creatives who walk through our doors with dreams, just like we once did, helping them turn those dreams into reality. We’ve engaged with the pickleball community, listening to leaders like Lily Azel and our partner Melvin to understand their needs.

What sets us apart is that this venue isn’t just ours; it belongs to everyone who has walked through our doors.

WRE: What kind of events or programming do you offer? 

Alex Ruiz: Our perspective is that, as we’ve evolved over the years and times have changed, the backyard I grew up in has transformed—just like The Yards will. What remains constant is our sense of family and the feeling of home we create here.

The Yards serves as a vibrant hub for the Amelia District and the City of Hialeah, providing a welcoming space where the community can come together to connect, collaborate, and share enriching experiences. The Yards is an open canvas, and you can expect it to evolve with new experiences that reflect the desires of our community members. We are and will continue to be, a sports and entertainment social club, offering everything from concerts and parties to shows, watch parties for all sporting events, and, of course, plenty of pickleball!

WRE: Are there any upcoming projects or enhancements planned for The Yards at Amelia that you’re excited about? 

JC: We are always thinking of fun ways to integrate programming that bridges the gap between social events and pickleball and engaging with our youth even more. We have a very healthy members program that we are committed to enhancing. We have numerous activations planned for the Miami Open, music week, and more.