Jackson County serves up new tennis courts for East Central residents

A “Grand Slam Serving” Ceremony officially opened the new tennis complex at Lum Cumbest Park on Highway 613 on Tuesday, Feb. 3. The "golden tennis rackets" were in full swing as the Board of Supervisors and the East Central High School Tennis Team doubled-up to mark the occasion.

“We’ve been looking forward to this opening all winter,” District One Supervisor Manly Barton said. “We gave the tennis team a sneak peak last week and let them hit around for a few hours. The courts are in great shape. Our residents are really going to enjoy this playing surface.”

 

All six courts are hard top, regulation tournament size, and fully lighted. These are the first of 20 new tennis courts the County’s Recreation Department is serving up this year.

 

Of those, six courts are in the final construction phase at the County’s Vancleave Park and should be ready for play this spring. Both the Lum Cumbest and Vancleave tennis courts were funded in the 2008 budget.

 

“There is a growing demand for tennis courts,” Barton explained. “Tennis is not just for retirees looking for some exercise.  We are getting requests from residents to start tennis leagues and also from our high school teams who need more space for practice.”

 

The remaining eight courts are going on Yellow Jacket Blvd. just a few blocks away from St. Martin High School. This new tennis complex was funded out of the 2009 budget at a cost of $203,000.  

 

 

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With golden rackets in hand, Supervisor Manly Barton, Recreation Director Jack Hamilton, ECHS Tennis Team Senior Heather Baylor and ECHS Tennis Coach Charles Stallings, simultaneously swing at the court opening serve.