VALDOSTA, Ga. — Residents and officials came out to the Harry B. Anderson Tennis Center at McKey Park Wednesday morning to break ground for a $900,000 tennis court project.

The new construction will add six new courts to the already existing 12 courts at the park, according to officials.

“This is an example of what people coming to look at our community are looking for,” Mayor John Gayle said. “They look at recreational facilities and quality of life issues, just like they look at infrastructure and the things that are important to them.” 

Lowndes County Commissioner Scott Orenstein used to play tennis when he was in school, and has children that play as well.

“Tennis is near and dear to our hearts — my family,” he said. “My daughter played four years of tennis through Valdosta High School. We understand the importance of an additional six courts here and what it can do for our economy. I’ve been to the tournaments in (Macon) where you have to fight for a hotel room, and you have to fight for a restaurant.”

Suzan Prince, Valdosta-Lowndes County Parks and Recreation Authority board member and Tennis Valdosta president, announced at the groundbreaking there will be a state-level championship tournament in Valdosta in August and again August 2019.

The tournament will bring in roughly 850 players for four days, and each year will have an approximately $400,000 economic impact on the community, she said.

“That is how we get facilities like this,” she said. “Because when we bring people in and they are spending money in our community, then we are able to continue to grow.”

And while bringing in tourism dollars is important, Prince emphasized the new courts will benefit the local tennis community.

“With this addition, we will be able to offer more leagues for juniors and for adults,” she said. “And to just encourage people to become active. And tennis is a lifetime sport. It’s something you can start when you are a toddler, and — I mean, we have people out here playing in their 80s.”

The tennis court expansion is expected to be complete by this fall. The project is funded by the Valdosta-Lowndes County Parks & Recreation Authority.

Jason Smith is a reporter at The Valdosta Daily Times. He can be contacted at 229-244-3400 ext.1257.