Facility Highlight: Southlake Tennis Center
Nestled inside Bicentennial Park, Southlake Tennis Center (STC) stands as a premier public tennis destination in Northeast Tarrant County. Serving as a hub for player development, community connection, and high-caliber play, STC seamlessly blends rich grass-roots history with top-tier amenities to serve tennis enthusiasts across North Texas.
The city-owned facility operates with a community-first approach, striving to make tennis accessible to players of all backgrounds, ages, and skill levels throughout North Texas.
General Manager Mia Gordon-Poorman emphasizes the importance of proper programming to ensure success.
"As a public tennis center, we feel that our job is to reach out to as many different populations to offer as much programming as we can," says Gordon-Poorman. She notes that the facility supports a robust player pathway ranging from a structured junior program starting at age 5 to an accelerated "New to Tennis" program for adults. "We've had four now, five different ladies teams come out of New to Tennis and then end up becoming USTA teams, in addition to that we have 35 teams that compete out of the tennis center in the three different leagues that we support."
A Destination Built by Passionate Visionaries
Southlake Tennis Center traces its origins back to 1999, fulfilling the vision of North East Tennis Association (NETT), a USTA Community Tennis Association, and its president, Laura Gilbert. An accomplished former touring pro, Gilbert sought to bring public tennis to the Southlake community. Alongside fellow advocates Lynn Jumper and Robin Jones, the trio worked tirelessly with the City of Southlake to turn that vision into reality.
All three founders left lasting legacies on Texas tennis: Gilbert served with USTA Texas before her retirement and was inducted into the Texas Tennis Hall of Fame in 2023; Jumper remains an active board leader enriching local tennis; and Jones was honored nationally with the USTA Volunteer Exceptional Service Award in 2025.
As the facility grew in popularity, leadership spearheaded community fundraising campaigns to expand the footprint. Combining $40,000 in grassroots fundraising with city park funding, the center expanded from its original footprint to meet growing regional demand.
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In May 2019, the City of Southlake completed a comprehensive two-year renovation of the clubhouse facility, funded through the Southlake Parks Development Corporation (SPDC). Just one year later, two existing courts were permanently covered, creating climate-controlled indoor courts to keep players on court in every season.
Nationally Recognized Excellence
The tennis community has repeatedly recognized Southlake Tennis Center for its commitment to high standards, customer service, and community impact. STC holds the distinction of being named a USTA Premier Facility, a designation awarded to only 50 facilities across the United States.
Facility Accolades & Awards:
USTA National Facility of the Year (2011)
USTA Texas Section Organization of the Year
PTR (Professional Tennis Registry) Facility of the Year
TIA National Large Facility of the Year
USTA Texas QuickStart Tennis (QST) Facility of the Year
Comprehensive Programming & Community Hub
With 19 total courts, STC operates a full calendar seven days a week. The coaching staff is composed of certified USTA/PTR professionals holding Safe Play designations alongside specialized credentials in junior development, adult pathways, and competitive training.
STC serves as a hub for local competition, fielding numerous adult league teams and hosting organized drills, private lessons, and junior competitive pathways. Additionally, the center regularly hosts regional and sectional tournaments, drawing players from across the Lone Star State.
Beyond the courts, players have access to a full-service pro shop stocked with racquets, apparel, strings, and grips, offering expert stringing services to keep players' gear performance ready.
Southlake Tennis Center
Address: 450 W. Southlake Blvd. Southlake, TX 76092
Established: 1999 (Major Clubhouse Remodel: 2019)
Number of Courts: 19 Total Courts (17 Lighted Outdoor Hard Courts, 2 Climate-Controlled Indoor Courts)
Staff: 17 Staff Members including 10 USTA & PTR Certified Teaching Professionals (Safe Play Approved)
Key Amenities: Full-Service Pro Shop, Racquet Stringing, Indoor Climate-Controlled Courts, Spectator Seating, Bicentennial Park Access
Facility Type: Public Municipal Facility
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