title
Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Apply for $77,750 in United States Tennis Association Grants to Assist with Resurfacing Courts at Althea Gibson Tennis Complex
body
|
Department: |
Parks & Recreation |
Meeting Date: |
7/15/2025 |
|
Contact Name: |
Amy Beatty |
Public Hearing: |
No |
|
Contact Phone: |
910-341-5838 |
Advertising Date/Advertised By: |
N/A |
|
Attachments: |
Attachment #1: Resolution |
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this resolution is to receive authorization to apply for three grants under the United States Tennis Association (USTA) Grant Program to support the resurfacing of center court and courts nine through eighteen at the Althea Gibson Tennis Complex at Empie Park.
BACKGROUND:
The Althea Gibson Tennis Complex at Empie Park features twenty-four hard tennis courts and was established in 2011. Center court and courts nine through eighteen were resurfaced in 2018. It is recommended that hard tennis courts be resurfaced every four to eight years. The Parks Maintenance Capital Fund for fiscal year 2026 contains $100,000 for tennis court resurfacing. Based on a quote received in June of 2025, the project cost for the resurfacing of these eleven courts is estimated to be $192,944.
Grants are available from USTA National, USTA Southern, and USTA North Carolina to assist with resurfacing public tennis courts. The cumulative total of available grant funds is $77,750. The USTA Grants are rolling applications and are reviewed on an ongoing basis. The grant awards are given on a first-come, first-served basis, based upon the USTA Tennis Venue Services Grant budget, the USTA Southern Grant budget, and the USTA North Carolina Grant budget.
The Greater Wilmington Tennis Association has pledged up to $20,000 to help cover any remaining costs of the resurfacing project not met by grant awards and City funds.
budget
BUDGET IMPACT:
The financial implications of the grants are projected to yield a maximum of $77,750 in revenue, which would supplement the $100,000 allocated to the Capital Improvement Project fund to refurbish eleven tennis courts at the Althea Gibson Tennis Complex. The Greater Wilmington Tennis Association will also commit a maximum of $20,000 to offset any remaining project costs. The overall estimated cost of the project is $192,944.
If the grant is not awarded, funding to complete the remaining resurfacing will need to be identified in a future budget year.
recommendation
RECOMMENDATION / ACTION REQUESTED:
Approval of the resolution is recommended.