RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) – Local tennis organizations are pushing to build a multi-million-dollar indoor tennis facility near Richmond\u2019s Byrd Park courts, despite facing pushback from some residents and members of the Richmond City Public School Board.<\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
The groups say they can complete the project at no cost to RPS or the city.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe also will be using fundraising opportunities. So we are not asking RPS to donate any money or put forth any money. We\u2019re not asking the city to put forth any money, either,\u201d <\/b>said David Harris Jr., a representative of Metro Richmond Tennis Club and Second Serve Foundation. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re looking for private donations, etc. However, the City of Richmond, Parks and Rec. and RPS, if there\u2019s things related to the actual infrastructure that would be under their umbrella and their budgeting process, that\u2019s where that would be their contribution,\u201d Harris Jr. added.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s youth.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou learn how to be a citizen, you learn sportsmanship, you learn how to be a diplomat,\u201d Harris Jr. said. \u201cThese are things that I learned about playing. I learned conflict resolution.\u201d<\/p>\n
Harris Jr., the nephew of Richmond tennis legend Arthur Ashe Jr., grew up playing tennis and now advocates for expanding access to the sport.<\/p>\n
He emphasized Richmond\u2019s unique position among major U.S. cities.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt 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,\u201d Harris Jr. said.<\/p>\n
The proposed facility would serve both RPS students and the general public, addressing a significant gap in the capital city\u2019s recreational infrastructure. The complex would also become the permanent new home of the Black Tennis Hall of Fame.<\/p>\n
\u201cCertainly, 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\u2019s available for anyone to read,\u201d said Shelia Curry, president and CEO of the Black Tennis Hall of Fame. \u201cHowever, I want it to be everybody, not just black students, not just black children. I want all of us to get together.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The Second Serve Foundation has been working to address concerns from RPS and community members. <\/p>\n
Issues raised include traffic congestion, long-term funding sustainability and preservation of green space.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve been working on it for about two and a half years, almost three years,\u201d Harris Jr. said. \u201cSo it\u2019s not something that\u2019s just haphazard. We\u2019re actually thinking through it.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd that is refurbishing tennis courts at all the schools that have actual tennis courts and that are in disrepair and under RPS\u2019s responsibility. We found that some had not been refurbished in 30-40 years,\u201d Harris Jr. said. <\/b>\u201cWhat\u2019s the use of trying to create a headquarters when you know the kids can\u2019t go back to their home school and play in somewhere that\u2019s safe and up to code?\u201d<\/p>\n
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