MICHELLE WILLARD, Post Staff Writer
Posted: Wednesday, November 11, 2009 9:18 am

City Councilman Doug Young, City Mayor Tommy Bragg, County Mayor Ernest Burgess, RCS Director Harry Gill Jr., City Councilman David Edwards and MPRD Director Lanny Goodwin cut the ribbon for 16 new tennis courts at Old Fort Park. TMP/M. Willard

Murfreesboro’s new tennis courts resulted from a “true partnership,” local officials said Tuesday afternoon.

Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation Department held the grand opening of the new tennis complex at Old Fort Park with local tennis enthusiasts, dignitaries and school children on hand the celebrate the event.

“This is truly an example of what can happen when people work together,” Rutherford County Mayor Ernest Burgess said.

The new tennis complex, which consists of 16 total courts, including 8 lighted courts and 2 championship courts with additional seating, resulted from a partnership between the city of Murfreesboro, Rutherford County government and Rutherford County Schools.

The agencies came to a $1.6 million agreement to offset the need for courts at the county schools and increased public need. It proved to be more economically feasible to build a tennis complex to be used by both the county and city versus constructing new courts at each school.

“This is just the beginning,” Murfreesboro Mayor Tommy Bragg said. “In the future, we can make tennis even better in Rutherford County.”

Rutherford County Schools middle and high school tennis teams will have priority mid-February through mid-May and MPRD will manage playtime in the remaining months.

MPRD in partnership with Murfreesboro Tennis Association (MTA) will offer a variety of programs, leagues, lessons, tournaments, clinics and open play for the public.

The tennis courts will be available for reservations beginning Thursday, Nov. 12 by contacting MPRD at 615-890-5333. If the courts are not reserved or being used for scheduled programs and/or leagues, they will be available for free on a first-come, first-serve basis.

In addition, the tennis complex will be the site for hosting a portion of the TSSAA Spring Fling competition. In the future, the city of Murfreesboro and Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce will work toward obtaining tournaments on a state and regional level.

Michelle Willard can be contacted at 615-869-0816 or mwillard@murfreesboropost.com.