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Tennis groups press commission to fast-track Newman resurfacing after multi-year delay
Summary
Local tennis organizations asked Augusta commissioners to accelerate SPLOST 8-funded repairs at Newman Tennis Center, citing a multi-year slide in start dates and a reported annual economic impact of $2.6 million now suspended.
Representatives of the CSRA Tennis Association and USTA Georgia urged the Augusta Richmond County Commission on June 18 to move forward quickly on SPLOST 8-funded repairs at the Newman Tennis Center.
Trevor Atkins, president of the CSRA Tennis Association, told the commission that court resurfacing and lighting were approved as a first phase but start dates have slipped repeatedly despite prior promises; he cited Destination Augusta estimates that Newman previously generated about $2.6 million a year in economic impact and said the center's decline has cost the community millions.
Darren Packy, executive director of USTA Georgia, described Newman as a state tennis asset and asked the county to expedite resurfacing and lighting so tournaments and leagues can return. Parks director Williams said final plans for the Newman project are about 90% complete, staff will perform QA/QC, plans will be submitted for permitting and the project will be posted for bid within a month; construction, once contracted, was estimated to take roughly five to six months depending on weather.
Commissioners said they want the public and stakeholders to have access to the design plans online and asked Parks to provide a clear start date once permitting and bidding conclude. No appropriation vote occurred; staff said existing SPLOST 8 funds remain allocated for Newman.
