The USTA announced that the McCallie School Strang-Voges Tennis Center in Chattanooga is one of 12 winners in the 35th annual USTA Facility Awards program, which recognizes excellence in the construction and/or renovation of tennis facilities throughout the country. The McCallie School Strang-Voges Tennis Center will be honored in New York City on Sept.
1 at an Awards luncheon.
The tennis center boasts six indoor courts, each with spectator seating. The facility has hosted USTA Tournaments, JTT and League play and college and high school matches. With four certified tennis professionals on staff, they are able to offer instruction, camps, senior clinics, 10 and Under tennis and adult beginning classes. Amenities include offices, a kitchen, a varsity locker room with showers, a team room with a ping pong table and flat screen television, a lobby with trophy case, pro shop, and restrooms and showers for visitors. Since the tennis center opened, more than 90 kids in middle school and high school have tried out for the tennis team each year.
“Great tennis facilities like the McCallie School Strang-Voges Tennis Center help us to grow the game at the grass-roots level, and we are proud to recognize them for their ongoing impact on the sport of tennis,” said Kurt Kamperman, Chief Executive, Community Tennis, USTA. “McCallie School Strang-Voges Tennis Center has embraced many of our tennis initiatives and kept the sport at the forefront of its community each year.”
To be considered for an award, facilities must be under the jurisdiction of a park and recreation department, an educational institution, a nonprofit corporation or be a private or commercially owned and operated facility that offers both USTA and public programming designed to help grow tennis.
Facilities were judged on the following criteria: overall layout and adaptation to site; excellence of court surface and lights; ease of maintenance; accommodations for players, spectators and press/officials; aesthetics; graphics (including the use of signs and landscaping); amenities such as casual seating for spectators, food services and social areas; and the facilities’ participation in USTA programs.
Nominated facilities were voted on in the following categories: Public Courts that are either small tennis centers with 2-10 courts or large tennis centers with 11 or more courts; Educational Institutions; and Private Facilitiesthat support the USTA and other “growth of the game” programs open to the public.
All 2016 award winners will receive a wall plaque and an all-weather sign, which can be mounted at the facility. Certificates of award will be made available to park and recreation departments, schools and those professionals responsible for the design, construction and maintenance of the facility. In addition, a one-year complimentary membership to the USTA will be awarded to each winning facility.
The 2016 USTA Facility Awards Program winners are:
Public Courts: Small Tennis Centers (2 to 10 courts)
San Sebastian Tennis Courts – San Sebastian, P.R.
Public Courts: Large Tennis Centers (11 or more courts)
Cherry Hill Health & Racquet Club – Cherry Hill, N.J.
Cooper Tennis Complex – Springfield, Mo.
Henry L. McMullen Tennis Complex – Clearwater, Fla.
Oak Brook Tennis Center – Oak Brook, Ill.
Oklahoma City Tennis Center – Oklahoma City, Okla.
Sound Shore Indoor Tennis LLC – Port Chester, N.Y.
Owensboro Tennis Facility – Owensboro, Ky.
The Candy Erickson Tennis Center – Park City, Utah (Featured Facility)
Educational Institution
McCallie School Strang-Voges Tennis Center – Chattanooga, Tenn.
Michael & Anne Greenwood Tennis Center – Stillwater, Okla.
Private Facilities
Sea Colony Tennis – Bethany Beach, Del.