Missouri Southern State University announced Tuesday that it has completed renovations to its six outdoor tennis courts.
The project was made possible in part by a $55,000 grant from the US Tennis Association Tennis Venue Services. The USTA Missouri Valley contributed an additional $3,500 for the improvements. The project also received a $30,000 appropriation from the MSSU Student Senate, as well as funding from an immersive learning grant awarded to the Department of Kinesiology.
The renovated site now includes six fully lit outdoor courts, three of which are lined for adult and youth play. Improvements include a new fence and ADA accessible sidewalk and gate, improving accessibility and usability for all visitors.
Andrea Cullers, MSSU professor and chair of the kinesiology department, called the project a labor of love over the past several years.
She said that in addition to being used for recreational purposes, the fields will be used by physical education and sports and recreation management students.
“They will use these courts to teach physical educators how to teach little kids to play tennis,” Cullers said. “It will be used by sports and recreation management students (to learn) how to organize and prepare for events on the tennis courts. In reality, it is a learning space as well as a recreational space.”
Gerardo Martinez, sophomore student representative in Student Senate, said it reminded him why student leadership is important at the university: It gives students a chance to serve something bigger than themselves.
“That’s what has motivated me throughout this process, making sure that this campus continues to grow in a way that uplifts everyone,” Martinez said. “As these courts open, I hope we all recognize that this moment is bigger than a commencement ceremony. It is a promise that we will continue to invest in each other and a way to leave our campus better than we found it.
Representatives from the USTA Missouri Valley Chapter were on hand to present the check Tuesday.
