Guest Blogger: Sarah Milheim, Advancement & Communications Coordinator
This Chautauqua season, Lakesiders will experience several upgrades made to the Williams Tennis Campus.
Lakeside Chautauqua’s tennis courts were featured in Lake Erie Living magazine in 2012 as one of the 109 greatest places to explore along the coast.
Longtime Lakesider and tennis enthusiast, Dick Hubbard, shared, “These upgrades for the 2014 summer season are an example of working together to continue to have a fabulous facility and program.”
Many of the Williams Tennis Campus improvements were completed before tennis players returned to the lake.
Improvements included extending the walkway from the shed toward the pavilion patio and office. Repairs were also made to the damaged fencing around the courts.
The sheds on the campus were cleaned and organized, and shelves and hooks were added to aide in the organization of equipment.
Other improvements included reorienting a light fixture for safety and installing a ceiling exhaust fan in the refreshment shed.
Upgrades were also made to the tennis office and viewing areas, including the installation of a new Dutch door, inside and outside electrical and cable outlets and remounting an air conditioner to the wall.
A new desk area with work space and cabinet was also a part of the renovations.
Additional improvements included the installation of drywall, trim, pegboards and cabinets where needed.
The three garden beds around Williams Tennis Campus also underwent landscape rejuvenation.
Limestone rocks were added to edge the gardens and more trees will be planted around the campus throughout the summer.
This summer season, tennis players will enjoy the benefits of having the hard courts resurfaced and sealed. This was last completed in 2007 and is a process that needs to be repeated every 7-10 years.
Lakeside is in the process of adding a sealant over the full surface area, then painting and lining the courts.
The hard courts will be repainted with several different lines to be used in the United States Tennis Association (USTA) 10 & Under Program, enhancing the youth tennis lessons offered at Lakeside.
Spectators and tennis players will enjoy new furniture and repairs to the tables at the courts as well.
These improvements align with Lakeside Chautauqua’s strategic goals, to keep Lakeside a healthy and aesthetically pleasing community.
“It is a partnership investing in Lakeside’s tennis program – with the Elizabeth Rose Williams financial gift, the tennis club members and the gifts made to the Lakeside Annual Fund,” commented Hubbard.
The enhancements to Lakeside’s world-class tennis facility are possible with the generous support from Lakesiders. To make a gift towards this longstanding tradition in Lakeside, visit www.lakesideohio.com/giving.
Join The Front Porch conversation! Tell us in the comments below about which tennis courts you prefer to play on. How do you take advantage of the tennis courts at Lakeside – Lessons? Tournaments? Family-friendly games?
