TENNIS COURTS AT LAUREL SPORTSPLEX GET A FACELIFT

Posted on: February 18, 2013

A number of improvements were recently completed to the tennis courts at the Laurel Sportsplex. The improvements included filling in cracks, resurfacing and painting of the eight courts.  The total cost of the resurfacing project was just over $28,000. The project was funded with money budgeted from the Recreation Department for capital improvements. The budget was approved by the city council for the 2012-2013 fiscal year.

The improvements are the first to be made to the city’s tennis facilities in the past six years. The city built the eight tennis courts as part of the Sportsplex in 1996. The most common problem with asphalt tennis courts is cracking. Cracking is caused mostly by asphalt’s natural tendency to shrink as it weathers and ages. Since outdoor tennis courts are also exposed to temperature extremes that cause expansion and contraction, cracking is inevitable. 

“We filled in the cracks at all eight courts at the Sportsplex,” Elvin Ulmer of the City of Laurel Recreation Department said. “In addition, Daphne Park tennis courts were resurfaced in 2012 and Boston Park in 2010. We’re very proud of all our tennis facilities in the city. These courts are an asset to our community and offer something else for our citizens to enjoy.”

The Laurel City School District and Laurel Christian Schools play their home games at the complex. Earlier this month, the courts saw their first action when the three-day Sanderson Farms East State Open Junior Championship was held at the Sportsplex courts.

The tennis courts are available to the general public at a cost of $4 for singles or $3 for doubles. Private lessons are available from tennis pro Josh Light. For more information, please contact the Pro Shop at 601.428.6192.