Tennis families rally to build new courts
Two community fundraising events slated in October
NEWBURYPORT, MASS. (October 3, 2023) – Fundraising is underway to build three new outdoor tennis courts in Newburyport, with more than $12,000 raised by Friends of Newburyport Tennis and community members so far. The grassroots group’s goal is to raise at least $20,000 of the approximately $38,000 to cover the initial site design plans by Andover’s Huntress Associates.
Three new courts at the Rupert A. Nock Middle School would create a total of five courts on the site, opening the door for the growing high school teams to have additional playing time as well as host state playoff matches where having at least four courts is mandatory. For the last two years, Newburyport High School’s girls’ varsity tennis team has won the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association state championship but had to forfeit its home court advantage and travel to schools with enough courts. The additional courts would be open to all students and community members.
“I’m thrilled with the fundraising efforts of the Friends of Newburyport Tennis,” said Mayor Sean Reardon. “We were planning on moving forward with phase 2 of this plan and it is great that this group is working to raise the funds to start the design process. The City will submit an application to the Community Preservation Committee in December for the three additional courts once we have updated plans from Huntress Associates. These funds will help us stay on track and show incredible buy in from the community for this worthwhile project.”
Two upcoming community tennis events are opportunities to help support the project. On Oct. 12 at 6 p.m., the community is invited to the Joy Nest restaurant at 50 Water Street. Free appetizers will be available, with a portion of sales that evening earmarked for the new courts. On Oct. 14, Newburyport Tennis Club will be celebrating its 50th anniversary, with events from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., including food, time for tennis and pickleball, and remarks from Mayor Readon and club owners. A table with tennis-themed raffle prizes sponsored by Friends of Newburyport Tennis will be onsite, with proceeds going toward the design of the new courts. The event is free and open to the public.
“Tennis is a lifelong sport and providing our youth and community with additional space to pursue their passion is a cause we feel strongly about,” said Greg Lynch, a founding member of Friends of Newburyport Tennis and one of the head coaches of the girls’ team. “We worked closely with the city to get two courts renovated at the Nock, and finishing the project with an additional three courts will truly elevate Newburyport as a tennis community and destination.”
The three courts would sit between the skate park and the existing set of two courts that were renovated in 2022. Those courts were made possible through about $200,000 in Community Preservation Act funding, which matches state money with proceeds collected through a 2 percent property tax surcharge. The new project would be funded in the same way. The School Committee gave the proposal its initial approval at its August 21 meeting.
“The more tennis there is in Newburyport, the better,” said Daryl Colden, a co-owner of the Newburyport Tennis Club and a supporter of the proposed plans for the three new courts. “We’re thrilled tennis continues to grow in our community and are proud that we offer both indoor and outdoor opportunities for people to play the game they love.”
According to the United States Tennis Association, tennis participation in the United States has grown 33 percent since 2020. The popularity of tennis in Newburyport is also rising. Reasons often cited include new ownership and programming at the Newburyport Tennis Club, a surge of activity during the pandemic when players were able to easily social distance on the court, the Newburyport High School girls’ tennis team winning the state championship for the last two years, and the pickleball insurgence that has increased demand for court time.
To donate, visit https://bit.ly/newcourtsatnock or email newburyporttenniscourts@gmail.com.
