News Summary

Gorham has completed the construction of four brand new tennis courts at Gorham High School, aiming to enhance local sports facilities. Built with a budget of approximately $200,000, the tennis-only courts cater specifically to players, ensuring a focused environment. This initiative comes after community efforts aimed at reviving local tennis opportunities, paving the way for school teams and programs from the University of Southern Maine. With plans to rejuvenate older courts by summer 2025, Gorham is committed to fostering tennis culture and community involvement.

Gorham Gears Up for Tennis with Brand New Courts!

Exciting news for the residents of Gorham! This summer, the town successfully completed the construction of four sparkling new tennis courts at Gorham High School, all thanks to community efforts. This project, which came in at approximately $200,000, is now ready for action just in time for the school year to kick off. Tennis enthusiasts can put on their sneakers and grab their rackets as they prepare to serve up some fun!

A Fresh Start for Tennis

The brand-new courts are meticulously striped for tennis only, making sure they meet the specific needs of players. It was decided that these courts will not accommodate other sports like pickleball, allowing tennis to truly take center stage. The Gorham Recreation Director shared all the essential details about the design and specifics, keeping the community in the loop. It’s clear that the focus is purely on fostering a environment for tennis alone.

From Setbacks to Success

Last November, local residents faced disappointment when a referendum to relocate the old, cracked courts was rejected. This plan proposed spending a staggering $2.5 million, which included moving the courts from the high school campus on Morrill Avenue to the middle school campus on Weeks Road and creating six new courts, some equipped for pickleball. However, instead of giving up, the town rallied together and took meaningful action to ensure the tennis courts stayed at the high school, applying municipal capital improvement funds to forge ahead with this new construction plan.

The School Superintendent declared that no funds from the School Department were used for this project, reflecting the effective collaboration between the town and the school district in bringing the new courts to fruition. The project was overseen by the Public Works Director, ensuring everything ran smoothly, while Shaw Brothers Construction took charge of finish grading and paving, collaborating with partners like Beaverbrook Tennis and Gorham Fence.

Serving Up Opportunities

These new courts are not just a win for the students; they will also serve various teams, primarily Gorham school teams, and even support teams from the University of Southern Maine, as well as local tennis programs. Schedules for Gorham school and university teams will be easily accessible at the new courts, ensuring everyone knows when to come out and play.

The Gorham Recreation Department cannot emphasize enough the importance of having playable courts for the community. They have also been supportive of plans to recondition the existing courts, which have suffered neglect and are currently unplayable. Mark your calendars – an exciting plan is set for summer 2025 to revitalize those tennis courts, bringing together town allocations and a grant from the USTA.

Aiming for the Future

The Gorham boys varsity tennis team has faced struggles due to the poor condition of local courts, often finding themselves playing home games at the USM field house. Thankfully, with the arrival of these new courts, the players can anticipate a much better environment for practice and local meets.

Looking ahead, with authorized expansions of Gorham High School on the horizon, it will be interesting to see how that might impact the tennis facilities. There’s also a public budget hearing scheduled for May 13, focused on further funding for tennis court facilities. This reflects strong community sentiment that emphasizes the necessity of constructing and maintaining quality tennis courts for local youth programs and high school teams.

As Gorham takes the lead in nurturing local sports, it’s clear that these newly unveiled tennis courts will not only benefit the students but will also create a greater sense of community involvement, setting the stage for many exciting tennis matches to come. So, grab your rackets and get ready to serve it up at Gorham High School!

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