Tennis complex earns USTA award

Van Wert independent/US Tennis Association news

The USTA announced that the Van Wert County Foundation Tennis Complex in Van Wert is one of 19 winners of its 32nd annual USTA Facility Awards Program, which recognizes excellence in the construction and/or renovation of tennis facilities throughout the country.  Representatives from the Van Wert County Foundation Tennis Complex will be honored at the USTA semi-annual meeting at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York City on September 1.

The facility held its grand opening in June 2012 and was recognized in the “Education Institute” category. It has six full-size courts with 36- and 60-inch blended lines. The facility has received funding through the USTA Facility Assistance Program, as well as a section Diversity Program grant, and private funding, including a grant from The Van Wert County Foundation, for which it is named.

”Great tennis facilities like the Van Wert County Foundation Tennis Complex help us to grow the game at the grassroots level and we are proud to recognize them for their ongoing impact on the sport of tennis,” said Kurt Kamperman, chief executive, Community Tennis, USTA. “The Van Wert County Foundation Tennis Complex has embraced many of our tennis initiatives, especially 10 and under tennis, introducing thousands of new players to the sport each year.”

To be considered for an award, facilities must be under the jurisdiction of a parks and recreation department, an educational institution, a non-profit corporation, or private or commercially owned and operated facilities that offer both USTA and public programming designed to help grow tennis.

Each of the winning facilities were praised for their implementation of USTA programs, including 10 and under tennis.

Facilities were judged upon the following criteria: overall layout and adaptation to site; excellence of court surface and lights; ease of maintenance; accommodations for players, spectators and press/officials; aesthetics; graphics (including the use of signs and landscaping); amenities such as casual seating for spectators, food services and social areas; and the facilities’ participation in USTA programs.

Nominated facilities were voted upon in the following categories: Public Courts that are either small tennis centers with 2-10 courts or large tennis centers with 11 or more courts; Educational Institutions; and Private Facilities that support the USTA and other “growth of the game” programs open to the public.

All 2013 award winners will receive a wall plaque and an all-weather sign, which can be mounted at the facility.  Certificates of award will be made available to park and recreation departments, schools, and those professionals responsible for the design, construction, and maintenance of the facility. In addition, a one-year complimentary membership to the USTA will be awarded to each winning facility.

A list of 2013 USTA Facility Awards Program winners is as follows:

Public Courts: Small Tennis Centers (2-10 courts)

• BNA Bank Park Tennis Facility – New Albany, Miss.
• Sevierville City Park – Sevierville, Tenn.
• Core Creek Park Tennis Center – Langhome, Pa.

Public Courts: Large Tennis Centers (11 or more courts)

• Sportime Randall’s Island – New York, N.Y.
• Junior Champions Tennis Center at Cadwalader Park – Trenton, N.J.
• Cayce Tennis and Fitness Center – Cayce, S.C. (Also named USTA Featured Facility of the Year)

Educational Institutions

• Randolph-Macon College Tennis Court Complex – Ashland, Va.
• Williams-Bollettieri Tennis Center-Collegiate School – Richmond, Va.
• Vande Poel-Heeringa Stadium Courts at Hope College – Holland, Mich. (Also named USTA “Featured Green Facility of the Year”)
• Van Wert County Foundation Tennis Complex – Van Wert

Private Facilities

• Boca West Country Club – Boca Raton, Fla.
• Virginia Beach Tennis & Country Club (indoor facility – Virginia Beach, Va.
• Gulf Coast Tennis Club – Gulf Shores, Ala.
• The Village Country Club – Dallas
• Carmel Country Club – Charlotte, N.C.
• Tennis Center at College Park – College Park, Md.
• ACAC- Richmond – Midlothian, Va.
• The Sports Club at Mediterra – Naples, Fla.
• Germantown Cricket Club – Philadelphia