The United States Tennis Association is pinning a big chunk of its future on central Florida.
On Wednesday, the non-profit governing body announced a project estimated at nearly $60 miillion in Orlando billed as the new home for American tennis for its 750,000 members. Officials gave an updated estimate of the cost at a news conference.
The 63-acre, 100-plus-court development in the Lake Nona area will house and consolidate the USTA's Community Tennis and Player Development divisions, which are primarily based in New York but also have locations in other parts of the country.
WIN: Djokovic returns from injury with win in Rome
The aim is to establish an A-to-Z pathway for growing the sport from the youngest players to established pros.
"It will have an impact on tennis on every level from recreation up to the professional ranks," USTA board chairman and President Dave Haggerty said. "Virtually every level of tennis can be serviced from this facility."
The project includes tax incentives from state, city and county officials — including a dirt-cheap long-term lease for the land — USTA officials said. It will open in late 2016 or early 2017.
"It's a watershed moment for us," said Patrick McEnroe, who oversees the USTA's player development program for elite juniors and professionals.
MORE: Federer won't change schedule because of growing family
Along with the $500 million expansion project underway at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens that includes adding a retractable roof to Arthur Ashe Stadium, it marks the most ambitious burst of development in USTA history.
Lake Nona eventually will be home to more courts than any other facility in the country and rival the Nick Bollettieri-founded IMG Academy near Tampa.
No comments:
Post a Comment