Tennis Venue Services restores old courts at Central Park in Doylestown, Pa.
The problem with older tennis facilities is just that: They look old. The passage of years and the foot traffic from tens of thousands of matches leave their mark. Central Park in Doylestown, Pa., was no stranger to this.
“The four courts were 30 years old,” says Debra Loggia, Tennis Advocacy and Parks Coordinator for USTA Middle States. “And as you can imagine, 30-year-old courts are not going to be in great shape.”
It was clear that a comprehensive rebuild was needed. In addition to renovating the tennis courts, Doylestown wanted to add pickleball and basketball facilities to create a multi-sport complex, furthering the park’s reputation as a community gathering spot.
Assistance with funding for the $13.5 million project came from a number of sources, says Loggia, including $20,000 from USTA Middle States through the Build It Forward grant program. Municipal bonds also helped to finance the project.
Additional funding came from the USTA’s Tennis Venues Services (TVS), which offers grants to facilities that meet specific requirements for tennis courts. The $140,000 award from TVS was then matched by the township of Doylestown.
And along the way, notes Loggia, a great deal of advocacy work had to come into play.
“At one point, the park was going to remove two [of the four] tennis courts. Often, people don’t understand how popular tennis is. But these courts, even before renovation, were packed with players.” And that, she adds, brings up some good advice for those seeking to improve facilities in their own areas.
The new courts at Central Park in Doylestown, Pa. Photo courtesy of Doylestown Township.
“We’ve found that if there is going to be a meeting of the parks board or the township when the tennis courts are being discussed, it’s really helpful to have someone there to give the information people need, like details on the use of the courts and the kind of shape they’re in, how many players there are and what kind of events and programs are being put on. You really need to have the advocates in the room when decisions are being made.”
Also supporting the project and advocating on behalf of the courts was the Bucks County Tennis Association (BCTA), which runs programs at Central Park. “The Doylestown Township Park and Rec Department has been a terrific partner in providing public park tennis programs for the community,” says BCTA co-founder Barbara Long. “The township’s facilities are true gems. The BCTA was thrilled to help secure USTA funding for the new tennis courts at Central Park.”
Different requirements apply to facilities in need of assistance. To be eligible for TVS support, funding can only be used for tennis facilities, and those facilities must be open to the public. Middle States, says Loggia, also “asks about community tennis events and programs” when considering funding.
While construction on facilities in Central Park is complete, Loggia says further tennis court amenities, such as lighting, are planned, and that Doylestown expects to hold a grand opening when the weather is warmer. Already, the courts have hosted USTA league play as well as several sanctioned tournaments.
“Doylestown Central Park is a wonderful example of how a public facility can serve as a vibrant community hub,” says Todd Carlson, Senior Director of USTA Tennis Venue Services, Parks & CTAs. “High-quality courts encourage people not only to play but to stay and engage with the local tennis community. The USTA is proud to support the development of the Doylestown courts, and we encourage other communities to explore the resources and services offered through the TVS program.”
Adds BCTA co-founder Laura Canfield: “We look forward to making the newly renovated site a real hub for delivering fun and fitness to friends and families of all ages through tennis—the world’s healthiest sport!”
For more on how USTA’s Tennis Venue Services can help your facility or project, visit usta.com/facilities or email facilities@usta.com.
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