Local tennis courts take on a new look

Cheryl Johnson, Clarendon Enterprise

The tennis courts at Clarendon ISD were the subject of several improvements earlier this summer.

In June, the courts were cleaned with a powerwash, and the surface was overlaid with Laykote. The courts were them completed with a fresh coat of paint.

CISD budgeted over $13,000 to refurbish the courts, according to Head Coach Keila Cruce, who raised additional funds for the windscreens surrounding the courts by working the grill at the varsity basketball games.

“The response to the tennis program has been overwhelming,” said Cruce.

A tennis camp was at the new courts with 25 students learning the fundamentals the last week and 15 students attending this week.

Currently there are 25 junior high students and 15 high school students signed-up to participate in the tennis program. With the new facilities, Coach Cruce hopes to have both a junior high and varsity tournament in the spring. 

Coach Cruce, who is also the elementary physical education teacher, said the United States Tennis Association will provide a program for elementary students in the spring that will provide rackets and t-shirts. Rackets will also be available for the students to purchase for a low price from the association.

“I appreciate the support we have received on refurbishing the courts,” said Cruce. “This will help in building a good tennis program in Clarendon.”

The tennis courts were re-built in 1989 with a grant from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Service through a cooperative agreement between the City of Clarendon and Clarendon ISD.  Among the improvements at that time, new concrete courts were poured, new lighting installed, and the facility was fenced in.