PAWLEYS ISLAND — A county-owned tennis complex is bigger and better after an expansion and renovation.
The Waccamaw Regional Tennis Center at Stables Park held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the additions on Aug. 22.
The center has put in three new courts and converted more to a playing surface that is better for seniors.
Courts, clay and lights
A plot of land was cleared to add two clay courts to the side of the complex. And a field of grass outside of the clubhouse has been turned into a new center court.
Compared to the others, the center court is more visible and has more room for seating. These features come in handy if a tournament or exhibition comes to the complex.
Clay courts soften the impact playing tennis has on joints. It’s softer, and players slide a little more. On hard courts, players come to more of an abrupt stop, said Mike Mushock, who plays at the complex and supports its nonprofit.
“Clay is definitely much easier on your body,” Mushock said.
Before the renovations and additions, the complex only had two clay courts, one of which was used by the center’s pro in the mornings, said Nate Fata, the treasurer of Friends of Stables Tennis. For the many older players at the center, it wasn’t enough.
“There were too many people that needed to play on clay that couldn’t get on,” Fata said.
There are now nine clay courts. Because of the improved accessibility, the center can better fill its role as both a place of exercise and socialization, Fata said.
New LED lights will help tennis players see the ball once the sun goes down, Fata said. These help the center meet the demand for nighttime play, which is more popular during the hot summer.
“A lot more people are playing at night, especially when the heat’s somewhat oppressive during the day,” Fata said.
For players who work during the day, nighttime matches may be their only opportunity to play, particularly when the sun starts setting earlier, Fata said.