Plymouth Approves Funding For Tennis Facility
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe Plymouth City Council has approved $750,000 in funding for a proposed $2 million tennis facility. A Plymouth Tennis Club committee has launched a fundraising effort to pay for the rest of the project.
January 28, 2014
News Release
Plymouth, Ind. — A local group is undertaking a major fundraising effort for construction of an approximately $2 million new and expanded tennis facility in Plymouth’s Centennial Park. This week, the Plymouth City Council made a leading investment in the project with the commitment of $750,000 in funding.
Three years ago, a committee of the Plymouth Tennis Club, in cooperation with the Plymouth Park Board began an extensive review of the City's tennis facility. The existing Mary Beth Hunter Tennis Center was first constructed in 1973. Over the years, the court has hosted daily pick-up games, Semi-State qualifying teams, and has helped make 33 college scholarship athletes, but it is now nearing the end of its useful life. While located in a city park, the facility is a unique cooperative enterprise with active participation by the Plymouth Tennis Club, the Plymouth Community School Corporation, and the Plymouth Parks Department. The lighted courts remain open to the general public 24/7, but also play host to Club sponsored lessons and leagues, as well as school classes and varsity teams.
In its presentation to the City Council, the committee unveiled its proposed design for a new $1.7-$2.2 million facility, including ten full size courts, four youth/senior courts, a pavilion and spectator areas, and a parking lot. Committee members Dawn Everidge and Sarah Smith highlighted the quality of life benefits and economic impacts such a facility would bring to the City and the importance of the youth courts for teaching the game to the next generation. Betsy Biederstedt of the committee heralded Plymouth's unique collaborative model, relying on diverse entities for funding and programing at the facility. All agreed that the same spirit of collaboration was vital in funding the construction of the new tennis courts. Following the presentation, the Council voted unanimously to commit $750,000 toward funding the project.
Mayor Mark Senter said, “The City hopes that its major commitment will challenge others, in both the public and private sectors, to step up to this fundraising goal.” “It’ll take a team effort, but together, we can make this project a reality,” the Mayor also stated.
Source: City of Plymouth