Ground broken on new tennis complex

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

Thanks to some local financial supporters — and the efforts of the Van Wert County Tennis Association — Van Wert will soon have six new tennis courts at the high school-middle school complex.

Several of those financial supporters, as well as VWCTA members and some young tennis players, broke ground on the new courts on Friday afternoon.

Wayne Kilton, VWCTA president and the person probably most responsible for the new courts, said the project is “a dream come true,” but also noted that additional some funds are needed to pay off the new courts, which are being built with private donations.

Kilton noted that the new courts, which will include lighting, are estimated to cost between $375,000 and $400,000, with work scheduled to begin this coming Monday weather permitting, and continue for approximately 6-8 weeks. Well-known tennis contractor Leslie Coatings of Indianapolis, Ind. — one of the top tennis contracts in the country — will build the new courts, which should be completed sometime in October.

Local architect Drew Anderson donated his time and expertise to design the project.

The complex will be called The Van Wert County Foundation Tennis Complex in honor of the largest donor. The foundation has pledged $75,000 to the project — $25,000 a year for the next three years. Individual courts will also be named for other major donors, which include four organizations and two individuals.

“We’ve had tremendous results coming from businesses in the community, and from individuals in the community,” Kilton said Friday, while also adding that somewhere between $75,000 and $100,000 needs to be raised to pay off the project.

The VWCTA will maintain the courts, with cooperation from Van Wert City Schools and the Athletic Booster Club, and the courts will be open to the general public, as well as the schools.

Members of the Van Wert County Tennis Association, school officials, tennis coaches and players gathered Friday afternoon at the site where a new six-court tennis complex will be built, beginning Monday, weather permitting. (Dave Mosier/Van Wert independent)