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Council directs staff to explore funding for Hermann Park, Event Center tennis court repairs after USTA safety concerns
Summary
Tourism and parks staff told Goldsboro City Council that failing hard courts forced USTA to pause awarding the 2026 singles championship to Goldsboro; council voted to ask staff to research funding, grants and partnerships to repair courts and pursue future bids.
Goldsboro city and tourism officials told the council that deteriorated tournament courts prompted the USTA to advise the city it could not host the North Carolina singles championship this year.
"USTA advised us to take a break from hosting this year due to our court conditions," a tourism staff member said, noting the city has hosted the event since 2013 and estimated the tournament generated roughly $479,000 in visitor spending in the referenced year. Officials showed photos of spidering cracks at Hermann Park and at the Goldsboro Event Center and said harsh winter freeze‑thaw cycles accelerated damage.
Planning and parks staff described contractor estimates for patching and resurfacing repairs in the range of about $1.50 to $2.50 per square foot for repair overlays, with contractors estimating those repairs should last roughly 5–7 years. "Repair should last a good 7 years," a parks contractor noted during the briefing.
Council members pressed staff on funding sources, potential partnerships with Wayne County public schools and area municipalities, and grant programs such as the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF), which staff said offers dollar‑for‑dollar matching grants and has been used for similar projects. The city manager confirmed staff would research grant timelines and vendor quotes and report back.
Council then voted to instruct parks and recreation staff and the city manager's office to explore funding opportunities and return with a financially viable option at the next council meeting. The motion passed by voice vote and was seconded on the record.
What's next: staff will gather cost estimates, check PARTF and other grant eligibility, reach out to potential partners (county schools, neighboring towns, private funders), and present a funding recommendation to council at a future meeting.
