[014] City, MTSU unveil Adams Indoor Tennis Complex in win-win partnership

Spectator mezzanine, electronic scoreboards, pro shop, lounge area among amenities

                       

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — The City of Murfreesboro and MTSU officials unveiled Wednesday (July 15) the long-anticipated Adams Indoor Tennis Complex, an eight-court facility that greatly enhances the Blue Raider tennis program while also expanding playing and tournament opportunities for area residents.

The new $5.8 million complex covers a footprint of 70,000 square feet at 925 Golf Lane and represents the latest partnership between the City of Murfreesboro, MTSU and the nonprofit Christy-Houston Foundation.

Among the amenities:

• Eight state-of-the-art courts and support facilities.
• Two electronic scoreboards, locker rooms, lounge area and pro shop with tennis equipment and apparel.
• Two floors with a mezzanine for spectator viewing that includes bleachers, TV lounge with tables and chairs.
• An awning extending toward the outdoor tennis courts to provide shading for special events.

“This new complex is something the entire community can be proud of for years to come,” said Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation Department Director Lanny Goodwin. “This certainly fulfills the vision that the City and MTSU had when we embarked on a bold endeavor to build a permanent home for Blue Raider tennis and superb recreational opportunities for the Murfreesboro community.”

Since 2008, MTSU tennis teams have practiced and played at an indoor facility at Nashboro Village in Nashville, nearly 30 miles from the campus. The agreement with the city gives MTSU priority access to the complex from 1 to 4 p.m. from November until March, allowing Blue Raider tennis practices and matches to take place. During those months, the Murfreesboro community will have access during morning and evening hours.

“This is another in a series of partnerships that benefit both MTSU and the City of Murfreesboro,” said MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee. “The new indoor home for Blue Raider tennis will not only enhance the men’s and women’s programs but showcase these excellent programs by affording the community the opportunity to watch these players in action without having to travel to Nashville.” 

MTSU provided $1.8 million from the university’s Centennial Campaign to help fund the project, while the Christy-Houston Foundation provided $500,000 to the city toward the effort.

The facility’s name stems from the generosity of the Adams Family Foundation, a Murfreesboro-based foundation established by family members of the late Dr. Carl and Jeanie Mae Adams. The foundation has been supportive of educational, religious and health-related organizations throughout the Middle Tennessee area. The love for tennis has been passed down through several generations of the Adams family and the strength of the local tennis community is due in large part to the support of the Adams family, officials said.

The Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation Department will operate the complex, including outdoor court usage and reservations. Adams Tennis Complex members will enjoy special rates for court usage, clinics and other benefits. Fees for community usage are available at

http://www.murfreesborotn.gov/tennisfees.

The new complex will include dedicated lockers for MTSU and comes as the men’s tennis program is surging under coach Jimmy Borendame. The Blue Raiders’ 2015 recruiting class was rated 25^th best class nationally, according to www.tennisrecruiting.com. Meanwhile, the women’s team recently finished 75^th nationally with an impressive overall 19-5 record.

“This greatly enhances MTSU tennis,” said MTSU Director of Athletics Chris Massaro, who also serves as a member of the Tennis Committee. “The new complex will arguably be the best in Conference USA and one of the best in the nation.”

“Conference USA competition and tournaments will be a major attraction,” added Goodwin. “We would not have been able to move forward on this community endeavor without MTSU’s support.”

The complex connects to Old Fort Park’s 24 outdoor courts, 16 of which are lighted. The outdoor courts are spaced for convenience, allowing easy access and viewing with a courtyard

in the middle, officials said. Energy efficiency and environmentally-friendly practices also were incorporated in the complex, including new pervious pavers in the parking lot, plaza, sidewalks and service road as well as and other stormwater management features that dovetail with stream restoration and conservation efforts in the park.

Construction was provided by Hardcastle Construction Inc. while Lose & Associates Inc. provided architecture and site planning.

To run the complex, the city recently promoted Murfreesboro native and MTSU graduate Gary Arbit to operations coordinator while also hiring two assistant operations coordinators: Pam Owen, who has two decades of tennis industry experience, and Cayce Neal, a Murfreesboro native and 2011 MTSU graduate who is an avid tennis player.

The City is also in the process of hiring a new Head Tennis Professional who will be responsible for overseeing group tennis lessons, tennis leagues and tournaments, and managing staff responsible for assisting with tennis activities.  

The new Adams Tennis Complex will be open to the public beginning July 15. Hours of operation will be Mon.-Thurs. 7 a.m-10 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; and Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.