New Arlington Tennis Center opens as recreational options grow
Michael Waddell
Daily Memphian
Fresh on the heels of the S.Y. Wilson Disc Golf Course opening a couple of weeks ago, the Arlington Tennis Center has opened nearby.
The courts are the next step by the town to provide more recreational facilities for Arlington’s growing population and the students of the Arlington Community Schools (ACS) system.
The project is a joint effort between the Town of Arlington and ACS, with the school system pitching in $400,000 of the $1.8 million total project cost.
“We’re excited that this is here. I think it’s a great addition. It’s a beautiful facility and a long time coming,” Arlington Mayor Mike Wissman said. “And if you’ve seen it at night lit up, it’s even more beautiful.”
Hugh Lamar, school board member and former alderman, led the efforts two years ago to form a tennis committee to figure out how to make the project happen.
“About 10 years ago, this project was the size of a mustard seed in my head,” Lamar said. “It really took hold when we had the meeting in May of 2017, and it just seemed to take off from there.”
Julie Moultrie, director of the Arlington Tennis Organization (ATO) and Arlington Middle School tennis coach, added: “We decided that instead of putting a few courts at the high school and a few courts on town property, with neither site being able to host any leagues or tournaments, that it would be best to combine the resources. I pledged at that time that I would bring a tennis program to Arlington if they would build the courts.”
Today, ATO is growing by leaps and bounds, offering a variety of day and nighttime youth and adult clinics and leagues as well as social events like “Doubles and Dinner,” which was held Oct. 4, and pickleball leagues.
While ACS will have priority on use of the courts for school-sponsored events, at least two courts will always be open for use by the public. Until now, the local middle and high school tennis teams have been unable to even practice in Arlington, much less host their own matches or tournaments.
“Finding out that you have a home facility makes a big difference,” Moultrie said. “The teenage drivers have had to drive all over the city. All of our matches for the middle school and high school have been away. Our ‘home’ facility was in East Memphis.”
In fact, the teams were paying other facilities around the Mid-South to have a place to practice. Moultrie pointed out the schools have seen a huge influx of students interested in tennis over the past few weeks with news of the new courts opening.
Designed by John Sexton of Los Design, the new complex features six lighted courts made from post-tension concrete, which provides better longevity than asphalt.
“And we have a center green out here, so when they do host tournaments they can set up flex space so that vendors can come out,” Sexton said.
His company works with Parks & Recreation departments across the southeastern U.S., specializing in installing everything from tennis to football to rugby to lacrosse courts and fields.
General contractor Grinder Taber & Grinder handled the construction.
“Someday, depending on how this goes, we hope to have more tennis court and more pickleball courts. There is room for expansion of parking and courts,” Town Administrator Cathy Durant said.
Moultrie estimates more than 100 youth and adults in registered programs used the courts in the first week, with more also coming out for open play. She said more than 70 people signed up for ATO programs on the first Saturday the courts were open.
“Now we’ll be able to host tournaments and have matches here, and our kids can take pride in actually playing here instead of (elsewhere),” Wissman said.
