A Pause in Play for Maybank Tennis Renovations
The bulldozers in the background were a visible sign that work is under way at the Maybank Tennis Center. The Charleston Parks Conservancy was on hand for a news conference June 20 with Charleston Mayor Joe Riley as he outlined the renovation plans for the tennis facility.
Work began June 4 and is expected to be completed in September. When finished, there will be six hard courts (six of the eight were demolished and rebuilt) and three clay courts will be redone. The Conservancy has raised $15,880, which will be used to partially fund the building of two additional clay courts. Eight of the courts will have lights for nighttime play. Total construction cost is $783,224.
Riley praised the Conservancy for its work on this project and its many other park projects around the city.
Conservancy Executive Director Jim Martin said, “We are thrilled to be a partner in this important City of Charleston renovation.”
The Conservancy works closely with the city as well the community and neighborhood associations on park projects. “This is another example of the Conservancy partnering with the local community to bring positive change to our parks,” Martin said.
Maybank Tennis Center has more than 400 members who pay an annual fee to regularly use the facility. Several James Island schools use the tennis center and it has hosted a number of tennis tournaments.
“Currently, there are no public clay courts on James Island or West Ashley. This project, funded by the City of Charleston and the hard work of CPC and donors, will provide six newly constructed hard courts and five new clay courts for the tennis community,” said Laurie Yarbrough, director of the Department of Recreation. “It is a fabulous investment in our residents.”