Omaha’s Koch Family Tennis Center gets major makeover

The wait is over for the court construction that’s been taking place at Koch Family Tennis Center in Omaha. After almost two years, the venue will be back to full capacity in time for the boys’ tennis high school season this fall.

In addition to one new tennis court, 22 courts are now post-tension concrete, which is more resistant to cracks during cold weather, and six are asphalt. There are also four 60-foot tennis courts used for orange ball events and activities.

In addition, the Omaha Tennis Association is providing landscaping and new seating, and the organization is raising money for shade structures. A fundraiser will be coming soon. USTA Nebraska funded squeegees and a few other items.

“It’s going to be really beautiful,” said Lisa Thomas, USTA Nebraska executive director. “It’s super exciting, and we can now host local and regional tournaments again.”

Thomas said the first courts were constructed in the late 1990s and were not built with any support underneath them. The new courts are now post-tension and able to withstand cold winters better than before.

“Koch was a national award-winning facility. It’s good to have it back,” Thomas said. “We hope to bid on sectionals again.”

Koch Family Tennis Center was selected as a USTA national Facility of the Year in both 2003 and 2013. It has been the site for state high school tennis tournaments and invites, USTA Nebraska tournaments, USTA Missouri Valley junior and adult events, Section Championships, national competitions, Special Olympics events, college team practices and more.

Additionally, the inaugural USTA Missouri Valley “Valley Cup” prize-money series will have one of its seven tournaments take place at Koch. That event, the Level 5 Omaha Open & NTRP, is Aug. 29-31.