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Park & rec agency of the year: Lexington County

By Kent Oswald

Feeding the tennis needs of everyone — from the youngest to the oldest — is a tradition in Lexington County, S.C. In fact, in 2004 the 21-court Lexington County Tennis Complex was our Municipal Facility of the Year. But that was before a second large facility was built in the county. The new Cayce Tennis and Fitness Center adds 30 more courts (and in 2013 was named the USTA’s Featured Facility Award winner).

Both of these facilities, expertly run and programmed by director of operations Jorge Andrew, would not have been possible without the support of the Lexington Country Recreation and Aging Commission (LCRAC), which for 2013 is Tennis Industry’s Park & Rec Agency of the Year.

The two facilities are about 15 minutes apart and together are home to about 70 adult league teams, along with junior programs that reach about 140 kids on a regular basis. They also host many regional and national events. Court rates are as low as $3 a person for two hours.

“Customer service is rule No. 1,” says Andrew, but he says more can be done. “We have to be a leader, not a follower.” — Kent Oswald

Tips For Success

• A business may be perfect at one thing, but community service requires excellence at many things for diverse populations.
• Tie all offerings together by focusing top-down and bottom-up on customer service.
• Keep an eye out for what is going on outside the organization, whether it is local budget battles or changing demographics.

See all articles by Kent Oswald

About the Author

Kent Oswald  is a contributor to TennisNow.com, producer at the JockBookReview.com and a former editor of Tennis Week magazine.

From the January 2014 issue
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