GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (GRPS) -- The tennis courts at Ottawa Hills High School and Union High School are being restored this summer thanks to a partnership between Grand Rapids Public Schools and West Michigan Community Tennis.
The new Union tennis courts were completed in early June. The courts at Ottawa Hills are expected to be completed in August.
"This is unbelievable to do this and to see this happening," said Bill Schaefer, Union High School's varsity tennis coach. "It's good for another 20 years."
West Michigan Community Tennis secured a $52,000 grant from the United States Tennis Association Foundation for the projects. GRPS added $69,000 to fully fund the reconstruction.
"It's going to be really exciting for the team," said Charlotte Beresford, a senior at City High Middle School who plays tennis for Union High School. "It was cracking and I was like scared of falling. Now I can actually play like with good shoes. It's really nice."
"I play a lot of sports, and it's just nice to know that I'm being invested in at my school and that we have the resources to do these kind of things," said Nigel Doyle, a senior at City High Middle School who also plays tennis for Union High School.
West Michigan Community Tennis hosts "Tennis in the Park" during the summer months at multiple locations in Grand Rapids, including both Ottawa Hills and Union. The program is in cooperation with the City of Grand Rapids Department of Parks and Recreation. "Tennis in the Park" provides instruction twice a week in June and July for children between the ages of 5 and 14 for just $10. Each session also includes a time of learning using curriculum developed by “Be Nice.”
"This is a commitment for the high school, but it's also a commitment for these community kids," said Jack Ponstine, vice president of West Michigan Community Tennis.
