Whether training to be the next Serena Williams or simply enjoying some light activity, Edmontonians will soon have the opportunity to play on eight brand-new tennis courts at the Saville Community Sports Centre on South Campus. Scheduled to open in summer 2023, the new South Campus Tennis Centre will meet current and emerging needs of the community for tennis services, and give the public new opportunities for recreation and training.
When complete, the Centre will consist of eight existing indoor courts inside the Saville Community Sports Centre and eight new outdoor courts. Six of the outdoor courts will be hard courts with an air-inflated structure for winter play, and two of the courts will be clay courts suitable for the highest level competitions. Open to all ages, the Centre will host a variety of programming including youth camps, recreational leagues, training and varsity competitions.
"The Centre will provide physical activity opportunities to a large segment of community members as tennis is played by participants aged 5-95 years," says Cheryl Harwardt, Director of Campus & Community Recreation. "It is truly a sport for all!”
More than 20,000 people have already benefited from the tennis courts at the Saville Community Sports Centre, and with the growing popularity of tennis the U of A is pleased to offer a future home for fans of the sport. “Accessible tennis courts in Edmonton are particularly low when we look at other cities of a similar size across Canada,” Tennis Alberta Executive Director Alan Mackin told Global News in October 2021.
The new centre will also offer continued support to athletes of the highest calibre, including U of A's own Golden Bears and Pandas tennis teams. These teams have perennially been ranked in the top three in the nation, winning seven University National Tennis Championships since 2014. The combined indoor and outdoor training opportunities are key to the success of athlete development, as the U of A is the only facility in Edmonton that is able to offer this comprehensive training experience.
Breaking ground on community-focused projects like the South Campus Tennis Centre further aligns with the university's Integrated Asset Management Strategy. When possible, campus development projects keep sustainability initiatives top of mind and the U of A is always looking for opportunities to optimize our spaces. The eight new outdoor tennis courts will replace the current tennis facility at Michener Park after this season.
The new courts will be built on the site of a decommissioned barn that had been repurposed to house an eclectic mix of Faculty of Agriculture, Life & Environmental Sciences artifacts and collectable antiques. The barn will be deconstructed in summer 2022, and the wood will be preserved and repurposed, where possible, for future projects. The artifacts have been safely stored and plans are under consideration with a goal of allowing future generations easier access to see a piece of Alberta’s agricultural past.
With financial support from the Canada Community Revitalization Fund, which is helping communities build and improve public infrastructure, the $5.5 million project will be a lively gathering space for Edmontonians and visitors alike. Practice your serve — we'll see you on the courts in 2023!
Track the progress of the new tennis centre and other developments on U of A campuses here.