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McKinney tennis complex sees varied growth over first year
Chris Beattie/Staff photo – Women’s doubles teams enjoyed Thursday’s sunny weather with a morning of friendly matches at The Courts tennis center at Gabe Nesbitt Community Park in McKinney. The complex, which opened in February 2012, has attracted players of all skill levels from around DFW, says general manager Matt Hanlin.
By Chris Beattie, cbeattie@starlocalnews.com
Between a soon-to-open skate park, dog park and baseball fields, there's a lot happening at Gabe Nesbitt Community Park in McKinney.
In the middle of it all is The Courts tennis center, a $3.7 million complex finishing its first year of operation. And with expanding junior programs, competitive tournaments and pro player sightings, it's been a busy 12 months.
"This year exceeded our expectations in pretty much every way," said Matt Hanlin, The Courts general manager. "We've significantly grown in every department."
On most mornings, many of the 11 tennis courts are filled with adult players, mostly beginners and intermediate-level. The Courts are the weekly training home to nine women's teams that play through Texas Competitors of Dallas (TCD), a DFW-wide organization with a women's, mixed doubles and over-50 league.
Robyn Cain, a Stonebridge Ranch resident and competitive player, shares court time at Stonebridge Ranch Country Club - previously her lone tennis home - and The Courts, a cheaper, more accessible alternative. Cain said it costs about $200 per month for a tennis membership at the club, but close to that per year to play at The Courts.
"It's a huge difference," Cain said Thursday morning between friendly matches. "I can bring my own water for that."
Cain plays three to four times a week, mostly in the morning, she said. Other than the price, The Courts' wide-open, yet private feel drew her to its nets. "A lot of times at public courts, all the games seemed to be pushed on top of each other," she said. "Here, this is our court, our group, and we don't know or care what's happening on the other courts."
On some of those courts Thursday were younger players spending their spring break learning from Hanlin and his staff, each a full-time former professional or college tennis player. Ladies' doubles teams were on others, taking advantage of available tennis ball machines and a springtime breeze.
"We wanted to provide many programs to the various demographics, but most are beginner to intermediate," Hanlin said. "Being a community center, we just try to get as many people into the game as possible and keep them playing."
The United States Tennis Association (USTA) recognized The Courts for its amenities and ability to draw in the community at its Semiannual Meeting and Conference on Sept. 3 during the U.S. Open in New York. It named The Courts the nation's Featured Facility for 2012.
Tennis complexes nationwide were judged on criteria such as design and layout, player accommodations, aesthetics, and participation in and promotion of USTA programs, according to a related USTA News release.
"We were shocked, because I don't think a facility had ever won that in its first year," Hanlin said. "But I knew this was a great place."
Six of the courts now have blue lines designating the smaller, official court size for players 10 and younger, thus the complex is a certified USTA training center for that age division.
Its affinity for younger players was likely most obvious during last year's 12-week summer session, when Hanlin said "at least 30 or 40 kids came through per day." Players trained at morning classes until about noon, then others came around 6 p.m. for evening classes.
Nicole Goridkov, a student at Curtis Middle School in Allen, plays at The Courts several times a week. She quickly found her and her tennis racket's favorite spot.
"I really like the people," Goridkov said, taking a mid-morning break. "My friends are here, and the coaches are fun."
Hanlin has held "Play the Pro" sessions that allow aspiring players to match up against ex-professional and college players. McKinney ISD hosted a women's doubles tournament last week at The Courts, where 64 players from six area schools competed. Collin College is set to have a second tournament at the complex this spring, and TCD consistently holds events there.
Hanlin hopes to add three non-sanctioned tournaments this year, and by next year, hold USTA-sanctioned events at which junior and adult players can earn national ranking points. "They'll be open to anyone from anywhere," he said. "For non-sanctioned, you usually won't draw in serious travelers, but a sanctioned event will."
One such traveler, Dudi Sela, on Wednesday became the first professional tour player to grace The Courts. Sela, whose brother lives in McKinney and often plays at The Courts, was in town and needed to train, Hanlin said. Sela is Israel's top tennis pro, ranking as high as No. 29 in the world in July 2009, according to his Wimbledon profile.
Such pro presence isn't the norm, but attraction to the facility should continue to increase. Hanlin is confident further interest in tennis could spark once the skate park and other facilities open at the site in coming weeks.
"I welcome the energy to the park, because we'll have more kids, more parents coming through here," he said. "If one brother's skateboarding, maybe the younger sister wants to play tennis while he does that."
Before the addition, though, The Courts will celebrate its first year March 23, carnival-style - with raffle prizes, a bounce house, face painting and tennis games.
In the back of Hanlin's and frequent players' minds will be what's to come. The city "has already got the ball rolling," he said, for putting in 10 more outdoor and six indoor courts over the next year or two.
The Courts could then be in the middle of a much larger scene.
"That would turn this place into a mega tennis center," Hanlin said. "It'd be the premier public facility in Dallas, maybe even in Texas."
The Courts' free anniversary event is 3-7 p.m. March 23 at the complex, at 3253 Alma Rd. in McKinney.
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