City Parks and Recreation Department Director Lanny Goodwin presented the Parks and Recreation Commission with an update Tuesday, July 2, 2014, on the city’s new indoor tennis facility, including renditions of what the facility will look like when completed in early 2015.  Goodwin also advised that the City Council approved a construction contract and partnership agreement with MTSU on June 26.

“We certainly hope the MTSU tennis teams will be able to practice in the new facility in January when construction should be substantially completed,” said City Parks and Recreation Director Lanny Goodwin.  “Players should be able to use the courts even though final punch out won’t be until January 30, 2015, with an official opening sometime in mid-February if everything goes as planned.”

The City of Murfreesboro is partnering with MTSU and the Christy Houston Foundation on the new $5.8 million dollar indoor tennis facility at Old Fort Park adjacent to the 16-court outdoor complex. The City will remove the existing 11,000 square feet Ag Center and construct a 70,000 square feet indoor tennis facility with eight courts and support facilities. MTSU will have priority usage of the facility from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. but the Murfreesboro community will have access to usage of the complex during evening hours.

Director Goodwin advised the Commission that cost for community usage of the tennis facility is still be ironed out with a proposed business plan for the complex, which will be presented to commissioners at a future meeting. At its June 26 meeting, the Murfreesboro City Council approved bids for construction on the project to be provided by Hardcastle Construction Inc. and for Lose & Associates, Inc. to provide architecture and site planning. 

An aerial view rendition provided by Lose & Associates of the new tennis complex shows how the new facility will connect to the older outdoor courts and additional parking. Another rendition shows a drive-in view of the complex. The facility will have two floors with a mezzanine for spectator viewing that will include bleachers, tables and chairs. An awning will extend from the new facility toward the outdoor tennis courts to provide shading for special events.  

“We want to express our deep appreciation to MTSU for agreeing to provide $1.7 million to the project,” added Goodwin.  “We could not have been able to move forward on this worthwhile community endeavor without MTSU’s support.”