Construction will begin within a few weeks on the next phase of expansion at the Snowden Grove Tennis Complex.  This latest $2.7 million park-enhancement project will add eight additional outdoor tennis courts just west (top left of photo) of the existing eight-court cluster on the vacant land in front of the park maintenance shop.  This project will complement the 2017 $1.6 million eight-court expansion that included a central pavilion and bathrooms as well as the 2018 $770,000 transformation of the old metal building on site into a pro shop with offices, locker rooms, concessions, and retail gear.  This project will move us from just 4 courts prior to 2017 to 20 total courts and 4 pickleball courts.  It also creates the option to convert more of the old tennis courts to pickleball creating 20 pickleball courts while still having 16 tennis courts.  We will gauge demand and tournament opportunities before finalizing this decision.  Either combination will offer opportunities and facilities for our citizens to the magnitude we’ve never had before!

In 2017, the first-ever official tennis operation was created within the City’s Parks and Recreation Department headed by new Director of Tennis, Michael Johnson.  To say this program has been a success is the understatement of the century as participation by our citizens, tournament demand, and tourism revenues continue to compound every year since then.  We’ve averaged over 100 new players in our program every year.  Earlier this year, our tennis program was named the state’s best by USTA-Mississippi.  The hire of Michael Johnson in 2017 and our continued investment into our facilities are the reasons for this success.

This project, funded completely by local tourism taxes, is part of our larger, ongoing plan to create new opportunities for our youth and enhance the lives of our citizens, in general.  Completion is projected in November of this year.

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