Heavy snow and frigid temperatures have cracked the tennis courts near Alumni Hall, affecting playability and requiring the university to construct new courts, according to university officials.
This year’s harsh winter and snowfall has caused more damage than in year’s past. “At least two courts may not be playable without significant work,” said Richard Taylor, associate vice president of Campus Operations.
Men’s and women’s tennis head coach Jeff Wyshner said the winter’s harsh conditions took its toll on the already aging courts.
“The courts had a tough winter with the amounts of water that sat on them and the freezing and thawing that went on repeatedly. But, they are playable,” said Wyshner. “There’s really only one court that the cracks are really in play. They’re better than a lot of courts we see at other schools.”
The existing courts were built in 1979 and resurfaced in the late 1980s. “Each year, the courts would receive a ‘tune-up’ before the season started,” said Taylor.
Construction began this past week at the area west of the Walsh Athletic Center, home of the new tennis courts. “The tennis team and recreational tennis were both considered in this plan,” said Athletic Director Eugene Doris. “There were also zoning issues and campus appearance taken into consideration so that a proper site was located.”
Tennis team members are reacting positively to the new courts. “After hearing what bad shape the courts were in,” said Erin Reeves, ’04, co-captain of the women’s team, “it will definitely be nice to have the brand new courts.”
Colin Torrance, ’04, also agreed. “I’m extremely excited and hope that they will help our team become more successful. I think they will also help inspire current players, knowing that the athletic department is investing in our program.”
Tennis team members share their excitement for the new facilities, yet the new location caused mixed reactions. Some members expressed their concern for lack of support.
“I feel that less people will come to watch the games if the courts are all the way up by the athletic center,” said Diana Webb, ’05.
Others see the new location as having a positive impact on the team’s support. “A lot of people walk in and out of the Athletic Center everyday,” said Reeves. “With the tennis courts right there, more people might stop and watch a little of our matches.”
Wyshner said he wasn’t sure if the condition of the current courts expedited the university’s decision to go through with building the new fa cility this year, but said another winter would only damage the courts further.
“Certainly another winter on these courts would make the conditions even worse,” Wyshner said. “The new courts will be a help to us for a number of reasons.”
Wyshner said the construction of the new facility would help the recruiting process.
“Over the past year, talking to people and saying we have six new courts coming has been a big plus recruiting wise,” Wyshner said. “People immediately see a commitment by the school toward tennis.”
Torrance is also hopeful about possible recruits. “From a recruiting standpoint the courts will hopefully attract more tennis players that can immediately make an impact on our team.”
Originally to have been completed in the spring of 2002, planners are aiming to have the new courts completed for this year’s spring season. The delay has had little effect on the tennis program according to head coach Jeff Wyshner.
“The current courts have provided an outstanding home facility for many years,” said Wyshner. “While both the players and I are excited about the new facility, I feel no disappointment that the courts will be completed in the spring of 2003 instead of 2002.”
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