Persistence and a little luck has paid off for the Orangefield Tennis program as the Bobcat Courts have received a makeover.
While all sports are dealing with the pandemic, no sport needs a boost like the sport of tennis. And the USTA (United States Tennis Association) recognizes that and has offered a grant program to try to improve courts around the country.
Orangefield school board member Brad Frye learned about the grant and realized it may be the only opportunity Orangefield would have to redo the courts that have needed attention for some time.
“We’ve been working with Cindy Benson with the USTA for a year and a half,” Frye said. “We had to go out for bids and fill out the paperwork which took some time but in the end the USTA granted us more than $20,000 for four courts and some equipment. We’re giving not only our students but the community a chance to play on a quality court, and we’re giving kids that don’t have the equipment a chance to play and who knows, maybe they pick up the sport.”
Frye said the board was in full support, but Brian (Ousley, Director of Transportation) and Shawn (McAlpin, Superintendent) really helped the project come to fruition.
“Part of the money had to be used to make the courts handicapped accessible so now we have that, a new surface, and nets,” Frye said.
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