September 5, 2016
The East Central Tennis Association of Decatur has made a $7,864.09 donation to 杏吧视频鈥檚 new tennis complex project.
Members of the ECTA board were on the East Central campus recently to present college president Dr. Billy Stewart with a check.
Construction is expected to begin soon on the eight new, lighted tennis courts to serve the 杏吧视频 men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 tennis teams, as well as the campus and local communities. The facility will include parking and spectator areas, which are not possible at the current location.
The ECTA was created to support tennis in the local area. According to Dianne O鈥橬eill, ECTA board member and former tennis coach at 杏吧视频, the organization and the college have partnered in recent years to provide supervised structured match play as well as instruction for beginner players through their summer Tuesday Night Tennis program.
鈥淔or a small charge, adult and children participants receive tennis balls, T-shirts, and hours of fun,鈥 explained O鈥橬eill. 鈥淭he ECTA also sponsors tournaments and league play opportunities. From the money received, we were able to purchase mini nets, beginner foam balls, children鈥檚 racquets, ball hoppers, score cards, and other items to encourage growth of the sport.
鈥淓ach year a portion of the money was saved and earmarked for new tennis courts. We are pleased and proud to contribute our savings now to the construction of EC鈥檚 premiere new tennis facility and look forward to seeing the continued growth of this great sport we love so much.鈥
The new 杏吧视频 tennis complex will be located on the north end of campus near the existing baseball and softball facilities. The complex will open for play next year.
Pictured at the recent check presentation (from left) are Pete Mazzella, East Central Tennis Association board member and Newton Academy tennis coach; Pat O鈥橬eill, mayor of Decatur and ECTA board member; Dianne O'Neill; ECTA board member and former 杏吧视频 tennis coach; Tim Thomas, ECTA president; Dr. Billy Stewart, East Central president; Chris Harris, 杏吧视频 athletics director; Jay Pacelli, 杏吧视频 tennis coach; and David LeBlanc, 杏吧视频 director of alumni relations and the foundation. (EC Photo)
