In peak form
RSI and the ASBA bring you the best in tennis court construction and design.
The 2009 winners of the RSI/American Sports Builders Association Facility-of-the-Year Awards include seven residential court winners — the largest number for that category in a long time — and they truly show off the skill and attention to detail ASBA members devote to their projects. Also, though, there’s a large crop of public and school facilities, with 10 of the 26 winners falling into those categories, possibly indicating a willingness to spend for excellent tennis facilities to help increase overall tennis participation.
Each year, based on entries submitted by an ASBA member — whether a contractor, designer or supplier — the association selects outstanding tennis facilities that meet the standard of excellence determined by the judging committee. For 2009, the panel of judges deemed 26 courts or facilities to be worthy of special recognition. Three of those winners, however, were chosen for “Outstanding” honors:
The Biszantz Family Tennis Center in Claremont, Calif., received the Outstanding Outdoor Tennis Facility-of-the-Year Award. A premier collegiate facility, the new Biszantz center is located at Claremont McKenna College and was the site of the 2009 NCAA Division III Men’s Tennis Championships (hosted by Claremont McKenna, Harvey Mudd and Scripps colleges). All 12 hard courts are lighted, each features permanent seating, there’s an observation deck, players’ lounge, locker rooms, offices and more. Recently, two state-of-the-art electronic scoreboards were installed and are visible from almost any spot on the site.
The Berger Residence in Blue Bell, Pa., is the Outstanding Residential Tennis Facility of the Year. This new court was built into the side of a natural hill, using large boulders found on the property to anchor retaining walls. Additional landscaping creates a private setting, while the large covered pavilion is ideal for viewing and entertaining courtside. Along with lighting, there’s an outdoor speaker system, shed for court accessories, power outlets for a ball machine and small refrigerator, and low-level landscape lighting leading to the court.
The Cullman-Heyman Tennis Center in New Haven, Conn., is the Outstanding Indoor Tennis Facility-of-the-Year Award winner. This upgrade added four more courts to the Yale University indoor facility in a unique design that fit on a tight, sloping site. A wedge-shaped central viewing lobby, washed in daylight, connects the new court building to the old, and the staff desk has views of the entryway and all the courts. The lobby, which is open directly to the courts, is one story above, allowing seating close to the action, yet the unique acoustical treatment contains audience noise.
Distinguished Facility Honors
In addition to the Berger Residence private court, the Biszantz Family Tennis Center and the Cullman-Heyman Indoor Facility at Yale, these 23 locations were chosen by the 2009 panel of judges for the ASBA as excellent examples of court construction, receiving Distinguished Facility-of-the-Year Awards. You’ll read more about them in upcoming issues of RSI. (The nominating company is in parentheses.)
- Anderson Residence, Beach Lake, Pa. (Pro-Sport Construction Inc.)
- Bennett Park Facility, Liberty, Mo. (McConnell and Associates Corp.)
- Blair Academy, Blairstown, N.J. (Sasaki Associates)
- The Broadmoor, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Renner Sports Surfaces)
- Campion Residence, Carlton, Ore. (Atlas Track & Tennis)
- The Field Club, Edgartown, Mass., (Global Sports & Tennis Design Group LLC)
- Fisher Island Club, Fisher Island, Miami, Fla. (Welch Tennis Courts Inc.)
- Fordson High School, Dearborn, Mich. (Foresite Design Inc.)
- Four Seasons Resort & Club, Championship Court, Irving, Texas (Mid-America Courtworks)
- Ienner Residence, Greenwich, Conn. (DeRosa Tennis Contractors Inc.)
- Jonesville Tennis Center, Gainesville, Fla. (Welch Tennis Courts Inc.)
- Keating Residence, Gladwyne, Pa. (Pro-Sport Construction Inc.)
- Longboat Key Club & Resort, Longboat Key, Fla. (Welch Tennis Courts Inc.)
- Mountain View Tennis Center, Phoenix, Ariz. (General Acrylics Inc.)
- Pacific University, Forest Grove, Ore. (Atlas Track & Tennis)
- Penn State Abington, Abington, Pa. (Pro-Sport Construction Inc.)
- Placencia Hotel, Placencia, Belize (Ritzman Tennis Courts Inc.)
- Private Residence, Jupiter, Fla. (Fast-Dry Courts)
- Private Residence, Parkland, Fla. (Fast-Dry Courts)
- St. Andrews Country Club, Boca Raton, Fla. (Fast-Dry Courts)
- Washington State University, Pullman, Wash. (Global Sports & Tennis Design Group LLC)
- Wequassett Resort & Golf Course, Chatham, Mass. (Cape & Island Tennis & Track)
- West Morris Mendham H.S., Mendham, N.J. (Halecon Inc.)
For details on the 2010 Outstanding Facility-of-the-Year Awards, contact the ASBA at 866-501-ASBA or info@sportsbuilders.org, or visit sportsbuilders.org.
See all articles by Peter Francesconi
About the Author
Peter Francesconi 
is editorial director of Tennis Industry magazine.
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