How USTA Tennis Venue Services helped Denton, Texas renew and grow

Imagine a community recreational facility that exceeds expectations in terms of inspiring health & wellness and serving the community coffers. Or, you don’t have to imagine it—just take a look at the Denton Tennis and Pickleball Center in north Texas.

The newest facility of the city’s Department of Parks & Recreation—funded by a public bond with additional support from USTA Texas and USTA Tennis Venue Services (TVS)—the Denton Tennis and Pickleball Center held its grand opening this past October. The project was both a refurbishing of a North Lakes Park tennis facility built in the 1980s and a reimagining of how to serve the city’s recreation needs.

According to Jason Barrow, the Parks Department’s athletics manager, “Tennis has always been a big part of the community in Denton, but in the last few years pickleball interest has continued to grow.” The resulting space inspires dual participation through 12 tennis courts and eight pickleball courts, with players supported by a pro shop and a staff overseeing lessons, leagues, tournaments and a wide variety of programs. Importantly, there are no space conflicts between the different sports’ devotees.

USTA involvement began early on. One of the ways the planners built community support for the $14 million bond proposal was to promise a USTA-supported facility that would serve not just local needs, but also attract players and their families (and their tourist dollars) from the region and from around the country by hosting tournaments. Barrow says project architects worked with USTA TVS consultants to shape what was on paper and present it for the town’s approval.

A key to working with the USTA, Barrow notes, is being able to interact with the experts TVS brings to projects.

“I was able to speak to these [TVS] professionals and get their input on how to create a facility that can be used by the everyday player, by the beginner and by tournament players,” he says. “Having that resource available has been invaluable.”