The City of Palm Coast recently celebrated a major milestone with the grand opening of its expanded tennis and pickleball facilities at the Southern Recreation Center. The event brought together city officials, community members, and tennis enthusiasts to recognize the teamwork and dedication that made the project possible.
The City of Palm Coast thanked United States Tennis Association (USTA) for their generous $700,000 growth grant and for providing the courts, showcasing their dedication to growing the sport. The city also acknowledged Welch Construction for building the courts, Gilbane and Shelton for their work on both phases of the project and the new building, and OLC Design Firm for their outstanding facility design.
City staff were also praised for their contributions, with special recognition for the Parks Maintenance, Public Works, and Stormwater departments, who worked together to complete the project on an accelerated timeline in preparation for the upcoming tournament. A special shoutout went to Eric Jeba for his unwavering dedication in managing the project over the past several months.
Acting City Manager Lauren Johnston spoke at the event, highlighting the significance of the new facilities for Palm Coast’s tennis and pickleball community. She acknowledged the presence of elected officials, city staff, and USTA representatives, including USTA Florida Executive Director Laura Bowen.
Johnston outlined the exciting features added during Phase Two of the project, including:
- Four new clay courts.
- Cutting-edge LED lighting for nighttime tournaments.
- Palm Coast’s first show court, complete with open-air stadium seating for over 100 spectators.
These upgrades position Palm Coast as a premier destination for tennis, inspiring future players and fostering community connections.
Over the years, Palm Coast has hosted tennis legends like Andre Agassi, Monica Seles, Michael Chang, and hometown star Riley Opelka. With these new courts and planned additions such as shade structures, water stations, and more parking, the city is set to continue its legacy as a hub for tennis excellence.
USTA Florida’s Laura Bowen expressed her gratitude to Palm Coast for its leadership in promoting tennis and hosting the women’s $35K Pro Circuit event. She applauded the city’s commitment to advancing women in tennis and recognized the advocacy of the Friends of Tennis in making this world-class facility a reality.
The celebration concluded with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and an open invitation for attendees to tour the courts and enjoy refreshments from Redefined Foods. The event also kicked off the Palm Coast Open, the city’s inaugural women’s tournament, with a men’s $15K event scheduled later this month.
With its expanded facilities and commitment to excellence, Palm Coast is poised to become a beacon for tennis enthusiasts and a venue for creating new memories and legends in the sport.
