JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – After years of struggling to offer tennis to inner-city youth, the Friends of Battlefield Park National Junior Tennis League found out the city council voted to end play. It was surprising news to the nonprofit and the young players.
The tennis courts at Battlefield Park were empty on Monday after the first week of youth summer camp ended. But officials say they don’t know how long the program will continue because the city ended the agreement without notifying them.
While waiting for campers to return, Battlefield Tennis Center lead pro Venecca Green said she heard this weekend from Ward 2 Councilwoman Tina Clay that the City of Jackson voted to void the agreement that operates the tennis program. According to the tennis coach, they were given no notification.
“I’m obviously annoyed and angry. I’m quite angry,” Green said. “From right now, we’re just gonna keep going. We still don’t have a notice. We don’t have a letter to vacate. We don’t have anything. All we did was listen to what they voted and now we’re wondering, well, what does that mean?”
Tennis player Rejohnna Brown Mitchell’s grandson is in the summer camp. She is upset that the tennis center isn’t always open, has not posted hours and blames the center’s city-appointed facilitator.
“Laperiall Jones became the facilitator of this facility, and ever since she has been the facilitator, it’s never opened. It’s abandoned,” Mitchell said.
“The public should not be alarmed that the contract is being voided,” Councilwoman Tina Clay said. “I think the kids in the community will still have the opportunity to play tennis. I think we will have a better outcome.”
Clay referred us to legal for details. The city has not yet provided information about the voided agreement and what’s ahead for the program.
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