TOWN OF CARY SERVES UP TOP HONORS AT NATIONAL TENNIS MEETING

Tennis Park Recognized as one of five Outstanding Large Facilities in the Country

CARY, NC – The U.S. Tennis Association showed a lot of “love” for a local tennis center during its recent  2006 Semi-Annual Meeting at the Grand Hyatt in New York City; Cary’s Tennis Park was one of nine facilities throughout the country awarded the USTA Outstanding Tennis Facility award.  The Tennis Park was one of five facilities to receive the award in the large category – a facility that has more than 11 courts. 

The Tennis Facility awards program honors outstanding tennis facilities and encourages excellence in future construction and/or renovation.  Facilities must be under the jurisdiction of a parks and recreation department, an educational institution or an industrial complex.

“We are extremely proud to receive this national recognition,” said Tennis Teaching Professional Sean Ferreria.  “This award accentuates our commitment to providing a quality recreational facility that all citizens and visitors can enjoy.”  Ferreria, shown here, accepted the award on behalf of the Town from USTA President Franklin Johnson during the awards ceremony on September 8.

"The Cary Tennis Park is an example of what all communities should strive for,” said USTA Director of Community Development, Virgil Christian.  “They provide a first-class environment for all levels of participation that in turn provide a quality of life that we all want for our communities. This is truly one of the top facilities in the country."

The Cary Tennis Park was the only North Carolina facility to be honored this year.  Other outstanding large facilities recognized included: Lost Mountain Tennis Center- Powder Springs, GA; Forestmeadows Park and Athletic Center- Tallahassee, FL; Buchanan Educational Center Tennis Courts- Clovis , CA; and Waco Regional Tennis and Fitness-Waco , TX .  The outstanding small facility – a tennis center with two to 10 courts – was Ken-Caryl Ranch Master Association - Denver , CO . 

The USTA used the following criteria to determine award winners: overall layout and adaptation to site; excellence of court surface and lights; ease of maintenance; accommodations: players, spectators, press/officials; aesthetics: graphics, use of signs, landscaping, etc.; amenities: casual seating for spectators, food services, and social area and programs supporting the USTA and growth of the game.

The United States Tennis Association (USTA) is the national governing body for the sport of tennis and the recognized leader in promoting and developing the sport’s growth on every level in the United States, from local communities to the crown jewel of the professional game, the US Open.  Established in 1881, the USTA is a progressive and diverse not-for-profit organization whose volunteers, professional staff, and financial resources support a single mission – to promote and develop the growth of tennis.  It is the largest tennis organization in the world, with 17 geographical sections, more than 665,000 individual members and 7,000 organizational members, thousands of volunteers, and a professional staff dedicated to growing the game.

Cary Tennis Park features 30 championship courts, including one stadium court and one teaching court; a Pro shop; two comfort stations; a meeting room; snack bar with outdoor tables; locker rooms with showers; a ball machine and a double-sided backboard.  The Park also provides a comprehensive array of tennis programs, events and services for all ages and skill levels. These include private lessons, group clinics, leagues and organized play.

For more on the Cary Tennis Park , call (919) 469-4061 or visit Tennis Park at www.townofcary.org.  Also, visit www.usta.com for more on the U.S. Tennis Association.

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