Resurfacing of SHS Tennis Courts underway through a partnership with Starkville Oktibbeha Consolidated School District, City of Starkville and Starkville Community Foundation
Last week, anticipated renovations to the Starkville High School Tennis Complex took a step forward as work began on resurfacing the tennis courts. Located to the west of Yellow Jacket Stadium, the courts serve as home to Jacket Tennis as well as a shared space for community play. In an effort to support healthy endeavors and recreation for the community as well as promote tennis as a local sports opportunity, the courts on the SHS campus are available for use by the general public except for Yellow Jacket practice and home match times.
The resurfacing of the courts is a three-way partnership between Starkville Oktibbeha Consolidated School District, the City of Starkville and the Starkville Community Foundation. Each entity funded one-third of the project, and have shared in planning the renovations. In April, the Foundation presented the district with a check for $30,000 to complete the needed costs. Money for the donation was raised through the SCF Natalie Williams Compassion Fund, an initiative created in memory of former Starkville High School student Natalie Williams, who was a member of the SHS Tennis and Cross Country teams.
(Pictured left to right: Alison Buehler, Starkville Community Foundation; Vanessa Shaffer, Jacket Tennis Head Coach; Mayor Lynn Spruill, City of Starkville; Dr. Tony McGee, Starkville Oktibbeha Consolidate School District; Michael Waters, Starkville Tennis Association; Bobby Crossland, Starkville Community Foundation)
"We are excited to see this partnership come to fruition with the renovation of the SHS courts," said SOCSD Superintendent Dr. Tony McGee. "We are grateful to the Starkville Community Foundation and the City of Starkville for working with us to update this valuable resource for the community. We hope it will support not only Jacket Athletics, but the community's interest in the sport of tennis for years to come."
The tennis courts see a steady stream of community members on mornings and weekends for team and individual play, and they are also often used for not-for-profit lessons as well as camps for budding players provided by the Jacket Tennis coaching staff. The resurfacing project is currently in progress and is anticipated to be completed before the start of the high school tennis season. Meanwhile, a portion of the courts are still available for use by the community.
