The United States Tennis Association today announced that the Cary Tennis Park has been named its 2019 Featured Facility, the organization’s highest honor. Cary Tennis Park is one of 25 winners in the 38th annual USTA Facility Awards program, which recognizes excellence in the construction and/or renovation of tennis facilities throughout the country. Cary Tennis Park was honored at the USTA Semi-Annual Meeting at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York City on September 2.
“We are thrilled to receive this recognition from the USTA,” said Doug McRainey, Cary’s director of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources. “The staff at Cary Tennis Park works every day to make it a world-class facility, and the Town Council’s visionary leadership has allowed it to thrive. We’re honored to serve Cary’s tennis community there, alongside visiting players from around the world.”
Cary Tennis Park is one of the largest public facilities in the southeast with 25 outdoor courts, seven covered courts and four red ball/pickleball courts. Scenic bridges, landscaping, and amenities including locker rooms, a practice wall and a pro shop make the Cary Tennis Park one of the best in the country. Staffed with an outstanding group of tennis professionals, the products and services offered at the Cary Tennis Park are second to none.
Cary Tennis Park is a public facility that for years has seen players start in their developmental programs and progress into its youth academy program. Several of the courts are also under a joint use agreement with Green Hope High School, whose tennis teams practice and play their matches on the courts. In addition, PE classes are held on the courts.
The facility offers year-round adult leagues for everyone over four seasons with a variety of tennis, including singles and doubles.
Along with league play, they also offer adaptive tennis. Weekly clinics are offered for intellectually disabled athletes in partnership with the USTA National Adaptive Award Winner, Abilities Tennis of North Carolina. In addition, wheelchair clinics have been reintroduced and are offered rain or shine since on the covered courts.
The introduction of PlaySight cameras has been a game changer for the facility, since it not only allows match recordings, but also allows patrons to view real-time court conditions by watching the live stream of stadium court. Recent covered court addition allows for playing year round.
Cary Tennis Park also plays a crucial part in the local community. They have a strong partnership with local community tennis association and other community partners. They donate courts for two yearly Senior Appreciation events (ages 50+), Fit to Hit Charity event and the Western Wake Tennis Association Charity Event. They also have a partnership with Triangle Tennis Enthusiasts (TTE). TTE is a meetup group with more than 1,200 members that hosts more than 700 events and supply the volunteer base for six tournaments (including the Atlantic Tire Championships and the ACC Tennis Championships).
“Great tennis facilities like the Cary Tennis Park help us to grow the game at the grassroots level, and we are proud to recognize them for their ongoing impact on the sport of tennis,” said Kurt Kamperman, Chief Executive, USTA National Campus. “Cary Tennis Park has embraced many of our tennis initiatives and kept the sport at the forefront of its community each year.”
To be considered for an award, facilities must be under the jurisdiction of a park and recreation department, an educational institution, a nonprofit corporation or be a private or commercially owned and operated facility that offers both USTA and public programming designed to help grow tennis.
Facilities were judged on the following criteria: overall layout and adaptation to site; excellence of court surface and lights; ease of maintenance; accommodations for players, spectators and press/officials; aesthetics; graphics (including the use of signs and landscaping); amenities such as casual seating for spectators, food services and social areas; and the facilities’ participation in USTA programs.
Nominated facilities were voted on in the following categories: Public Courts that are either small tennis centers with 2-10 courts or large tennis centers with 11 or more courts; Private Facilities that support the USTA and other “growth of the game” programs open to the public; and Educational Institutions such as colleges, universities, public and private grade schools, middle schools, or high schools.
All 2019 award winners will receive a wall plaque and an all-weather sign, which can be mounted at the facility. In addition, each awardee will receive a one night stay at the Grand Hyatt New York and two US Open Grounds passes.
The 2019 USTA Facility Awards Program winners are:
Public Courts: Small Tennis Centers (2 to 10 courts)
- Wall Park Tennis Complex: McPherson, Kan.
- Delcastle Tennis Center: Delcastle, Del.
- Tuscarora Tennis Club: Frederick, Md.
- John and Fay Menard YMCA Tennis Center: Eau Claire, Wis.
- Courts Plus: Elmhurst, Ill.
- Soldier Spring Park: Weatherford, Texas
- La Academia- Sport for all: Caguas, Puerto Rico
- Eastern Athletic Club- Blue Point: Blue Point, N.Y.
Public Courts: Large Tennis Centers (11 or more courts)
- Rome Tennis Center at Berry College: Rome, Ga.
- Kiwanis Tennis Center: Tempe, Ariz.
- TBarM Racquet Club: Dallas, Texas
- City Park/Pepsi Tennis Center: New Orleans, La.
- Cary Tennis Park: Cary, North Carolina (Featured Facility)
- Lindner Tennis Center at Lunken: Cincinnati, Ohio
- Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning: Bronx, N.Y.
- Scottsdale Ranch Park and Tennis Center: Scottsdale, Ariz.
- Apex Tennis Center: Arvada, Col.
Private Facilities
- Ames Fitness Center: Ames, Iowa
- Racquet and Health 91: Tulsa, Okla.
- Mauna Lani Resort: Kohala Coast, Hawaii
- Magic Lincer Tennis Club of Manchester: Manchester, Conn.
- Glen Arven Country Club: Thomasville, Ga.
- Evergreen Racquet Club: Bloomington, Ill.
Educational Institutions
- Greater Atlanta Christian Schools: Norcross, Ga.
SMU Tennis Complex: Dallas, Texas
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