Improvements Planned for Griffin Park Tennis Complex
A national grant and a public private partnership are behind improvements coming to the Griffin Park Tennis Courts.
At the Dec. 19 meeting, the Pierre City Commission accepted a US Tennis Association (USTA) Tennis Venue Services grant for $28,750. Those funds will be combined with $22,000 from the Pierre School District, $19,750 from the City of Pierre, and $4,000 from the Pierre Tennis Association to cover the cost of the project.
“Thanks to this funding opportunity, we have the ability to resurface all eight courts in Griffin Park,” said Bryan Tipton, City Parks and Recreation Director. “The existing surfaces are more than a decade old; players will notice the improvement.”
Brian Moser, Athletic Director for Pierre Public Schools echoed Tipton’s comments.
“The Griffin Park courts are used by both the Governor girls and boys tennis teams for practice and competition. I’m pleased we can continue to host competition play at a complex of which we can be proud.”
Earlier this year, the USTA partnered with this same group of donors to repair and resurface two tennis courts at LaBarge Park.
“A goal of the grant is to provide communities access to safe, appealing, and functional tennis environments,” said Todd Carlson, USTA Director, Tennis Venue Services, Parks, & CTAs. “I’m pleased we can work with Pierre and thank the community for its efforts to promote the game of tennis.”
The resurfacing project of the Griffin Park courts is scheduled for completion before the end of 2024.
In 2020, grant funds from the South Dakota Community Foundation and a public private partnership led to the addition of shade canopies at the Griffin Park courts. That same year, the city added new shower and bathroom facilities adjacent to the Griffin Park courts.