Waukon Parks and Rec Brings Tennis To Their Community

To honor their 100th anniversary in 2020, the USTA Missouri Valley is recognizing 100 deserving recipients with the Gold Star Award. This award recognizes contributions that recipients have made in growing the game of tennis in their community.

In October, Waukon Parks and Recreation was named a recipient of this award for how they’re striving to bring tennis into a community that’s been without it for many years.

The city of Waukon has been without tennis courts for over two decades and the community was hungry for tennis. After several years of hard work, Waukon Parks and Recreation was able to spearhead the process as the entire community pulled together with donations and the acquisition of grants to rebuild tennis in Waukon from the ground up.

We were able to connect with Waukon Parks and Recreation director Jeremy Strub to talk about the award, Waukon Parks and Recreation programming, and their future tennis goals.

USTA.com: What is the core mission for Waukon Parks and Recreation?

Strub: Providing traditional, innovative and affordable quality services (activities, programs and facilities) for Waukon's residents and visitors.

USTA.com: What is your partnership like with the USTA and how did that partnership come to be?

Strub: Waukon, a town of 4,000 people, has not had a tennis court in over 20 years. We searched and found a partner with USTA to change that problem.

USTA.com: What do you enjoy about hosting USTA and other tennis programming? 

Strub: This was going to be our first year with tennis programs, but was delayed because of COVID-19. The summer of 2021 will now be the first time with USTA programming.

USTA.com: What was the process like to get new tennis courts for the city?

Strub: It was enjoyable. The people of the community was excited to make this happen.

USTA.com: What are your goals regarding the new courts? 

Strub: To bring back the sport of tennis to our community. Our school district will also be offering tennis as a program in the physical education class.

USTA.com: You’ve delivered such an exceptional customer experience for so many years. What drives you to commit to such a high level of service?

Strub: The summer of 2021 will be the first year for tennis programming. 

USTA.com: What are the future goals for Waukon Parks and Recreation as a whole? 

Strub: To continue to provide a low cost youth and adult programming. We will continue to work with any individual or group that wants to make Waukon a better community.

USTA.com: What are your thoughts on being nominated for a Gold Star Award?

Strub: I looked at it as being an encouragement to continue pushing the sport of tennis in our community. Thank you.

The recipients of the Gold Star Award will receive personal items, a plaque and a special gift. Congratulations to Waukon Parks and Recreation and all of the other Gold Star recipients.