Bloomington Named 2006 Tennis In The Park Community

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 20, 2006

For more information:
Mick Renneisen, Director, City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation, 349.3711
Maria K. Heslin, Communication Director, City of Bloomington, 349.3569

Bloomington, IN - Mick Renneisen, City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department Director, and David Sabbagh, Common Councilmember District 5, announced today that the United States Tennis Association and the National Recreation & Park Association have named Bloomington a 2006 Tennis in the Park Community. This designation qualifies the City to request USTA/NRPA resources, including grants, to improve its community tennis programs.

"This designation will help improve our tennis facilities for all citizens who play or aspire to play tennis," Sabbagh said. "The Parks Department continually enhances the quality of life for residents by offering activities and facilities that promote active and healthy lifestyles."

The Parks and Recreation Department maintains 21 tennis courts located at Winslow Sports Complex and Bryan, Southeast, Park Ridge East, Sherwood Oaks and Thomson Parks. The department also offers popular tennis leagues, tennis lessons for youth and adults and the annual City Tennis Tournament. Goals for its tennis programs include maintaining existing facilities, replacing the lighting at the Winslow courts and developing new tennis programs.

"We are dedicated to providing quality facilities for the people of Bloomington who play tennis both recreationally and competitively," Renneisen said. "Being named a Tennis in the Park Community reaffirms our commitment to promoting healthy activities and active lifestyles, and will open the door to resources that will help the City attain its tennis program goals."

The Bloomington Community Park and Recreation Foundation is working closely with the City's Parks and Recreation Department to raise the estimated $50,000 needed to replace the 1970s-era lighting fixtures at Winslow Sports Park with new competition-standard lighting. Replacing the current poles and lights will allow tennis players to maximize use of the facility. The Winslow courts themselves were renovated in 2005 using the latest in tennis court surface technology to repair cracks, repaint the surface and lines and install new fencing.

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