RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) – Local tennis organizations are pushing to build a multi-million-dollar indoor tennis facility near Richmond’s Byrd Park courts, despite facing pushback from some residents and members of the Richmond City Public School Board.
The Second Serve Foundation, partnering with Metro Richmond Tennis Club and the Richmond Tennis Association, wants to lease land owned by RPS and the city to construct an 8-court indoor tennis facility behind Lois Harrison Jones Elementary School.
The groups say they can complete the project at no cost to RPS or the city.
“We also will be using fundraising opportunities. So we are not asking RPS to donate any money or put forth any money. We’re not asking the city to put forth any money, either,” said David Harris Jr., a representative of Metro Richmond Tennis Club and Second Serve Foundation.
“We’re looking for private donations, etc. However, the City of Richmond, Parks and Rec. and RPS, if there’s things related to the actual infrastructure that would be under their umbrella and their budgeting process, that’s where that would be their contribution,” Harris Jr. added.
Those in favor of the plan say having a Class A indoor tennis facility will not only benefit Richmond by providing sports tourism opportunities, but having a place to play year-round would also been a huge benefit to the city’s youth.
“You learn how to be a citizen, you learn sportsmanship, you learn how to be a diplomat,” Harris Jr. said. “These are things that I learned about playing. I learned conflict resolution.”
Harris Jr., the nephew of Richmond tennis legend Arthur Ashe Jr., grew up playing tennis and now advocates for expanding access to the sport.
He emphasized Richmond’s unique position among major U.S. cities.
“It is one of the major cities in the U.S. with no indoor facilities, which is very interesting, considering the rich history that we have that comes out of Richmond,” Harris Jr. said.
The proposed facility would serve both RPS students and the general public, addressing a significant gap in the capital city’s recreational infrastructure. The complex would also become the permanent new home of the Black Tennis Hall of Fame.
“Certainly, with this being Black Tennis Hall of Fame, we are ensuring that a lot of the history is, you know, permanently reported, and that it’s available for anyone to read,” said Shelia Curry, president and CEO of the Black Tennis Hall of Fame. “However, I want it to be everybody, not just black students, not just black children. I want all of us to get together.”
The project carries an estimated cost of $15 million to $20 million, with funding expected to come entirely from private sponsors and donations. No taxpayer money from the school division or city would be required.
The Second Serve Foundation has been working to address concerns from RPS and community members.
Issues raised include traffic congestion, long-term funding sustainability and preservation of green space.
“We’ve been working on it for about two and a half years, almost three years,” Harris Jr. said. “So it’s not something that’s just haphazard. We’re actually thinking through it.”
To strengthen their proposal, Second Serve has committed to investing millions of dollars to refurbish nine tennis courts at Richmond City schools: JB Fisher Elementary, JL Francis Elementary, Mary Munford Elementary, GH Reid Elementary, Lucille Brown Middle School, Henderson Middle School, Albert Hill Middle School, Thomas Jefferson High School, and Armstrong High School.
“And that is refurbishing tennis courts at all the schools that have actual tennis courts and that are in disrepair and under RPS’s responsibility. We found that some had not been refurbished in 30-40 years,” Harris Jr. said. “What’s the use of trying to create a headquarters when you know the kids can’t go back to their home school and play in somewhere that’s safe and up to code?”
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