Earlier today, the United States Tennis Association announced plans to create what it calls the "new home for American tennis" at a state-of-the-art facility in Orlando, Fla. With a goal of enhancing the sport at every level, the center will contain over 100 courts and be the new home of the USTA’s Community Tennis and Player Development divisions. The new facility will have an eye to welcoming new and improving current players across the country, whether it be young players, recreational players, collegians, future professional players, and professional tour players.
The new facility is slated to be complete in the fourth quarter of 2016.
Dave Haggerty, USTA Chairman, CEO and President said, “his new home for American tennis will truly be a game-changer for our sport,” while Florida Governor Rick Scott announced it will create 154 new jobs for the state and will "make Florida one of the top states for tennis in the nation."
The new facility, housed on 63 acres of land, will include:
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A tournament and league area that will include 24 clay courts, 16 hard courts and two player pavilions. This area will also feature a tournament administration office with trainer rooms, a stringer area, player lounge, public restrooms and a check-in area.
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A collegiate tennis area that will feature 12 hard courts and one future tournament show court, which will allow two matches to be played simutaneously. The future home of the University of Central Florida's tennis programs, the courts will be equipped for television and have seating for 1,200 people. The area will feature a two-story pavilion for concessions, public restrooms, team locker rooms and areas for trainers and officials.
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A Team USA area that will include eight hard courts and eight clay courts. The courts will be utilized by the 17 USTA sections, along with coaches and their players throughout the country in collaboration with USTA Player Development.
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A high performance and player development area that will include eight hard courts, eight red clay courts and six covered courts for USTA Player Development. With dorms that can house 32 boys and girls and a strength and conditioning space, this area will be used for Team USA events.
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Eight 36-foot and eight 60-foot courts that will enable youth and adults to develop their games.
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A USTA office building. The ground floor will include a tennis pro shop, fitness area, locker rooms, player lounge and cafeteria, with USTA offices occupying the other floors.
USTA Player Development will move its headquarters from Boca Raton, Fla., to the facility once it's completed. The USTA’s Community Tennis division will also relocate to Orlando from the USTA national headquarters in White Plains, N.Y.
“Our goal is simple: to continue to raise the bar for our sport,” said Gordon Smith, USTA Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer. “Our new facility in Orlando will help ensure we develop the next generation of players, coaches, tennis providers, officials and volunteers.”