ASHLAND – The City of Ashland and Ashland City Schools came together Friday to celebrate the completion of much-needed upgrades to the tennis courts at Brookside Park.
“A little more than a year ago there were probably more cracks in these tennis courts than there were visible lines and boundaries,” Mayor Matt Miller told the crowd that gathered for the tennis court’s dedication ceremony. “We’re so glad we were able to make this improvement.”
Miller described the project as a result of a “true community effort.”
City leaders applied for and received $300,000 for the courts from the state as part of the state’s capital budget.
Ashland resident John Bouquet, who serves as pastor of Bethel Baptist Church, led a fundraising drive and raised approximately $35,000 for the project from local donors.
Ashland City Schools agreed to contribute $75,000, both to cover the remaining cost of the estimated $398,000 project and to provide dollars for future maintenance of the courts. The city courts serve as the home of the Ashland High School tennis teams.
Last fall, as the project was underway, city leaders learned the tennis court site would need $71,630 worth of unanticipated sitework to stabilize the soil. The city agreed to cover that additional cost, using money budgeted for the Parks Department.
Representatives of each of the parties involved were pleased to see the courts completed this summer.
Speaking on behalf of the Ohio House of Representatives and Senate was state representative Darrell Kick.
“To be here today and be able to see this tennis court is just phenomenal,” Kick said. “It’s just beautiful to think of the enjoyment that’s going to be here for years to come.”
Ashland High School Principal Josh Packard expressed gratitude to the local community, the city of Ashland and the school board for supporting youth and recreation.
Athletic Director Jason Goings said he looks forward to bringing the high school tennis teams’ home games back to Ashland. The teams spent last year playing all their matches on the road as they awaited completion of the project.
The new facility, Goings said, will make the school and community proud.
“Brookside Park is such a focal point of Ashland that having a facility like this where we can show not only our community but also other communities that come in how we support each other and how we move forward by supporting our kids is just amazing,” Goings said.
Ashland resident Patricia Perez, one of two lead donors who contributed to the project, spoke about the impact the Brookside tennis courts had on her family when they were newcomers to town
“We didn’t know anyone, but knew how to play tennis,” Perez said.
Perez said she was pleased to be able to provide current and future tennis players with opportunities to make new friends, to exercise and to practice the life skills of winning victoriously and losing graciously.
While the tennis courts are now officially open for use, Miller said there may still be improvements to come, such as new lighting to allow visibility for evening play.
