By E.J. Crawford, USTA.com
The U.S. Fed Cup team is continuing its tradition of giving back to its local communities by renovating four tennis courts at the Old Airport Park in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, and adding youth tennis courts to the facility.
The USTA’s Fed Cup Legacy program began more than a decade ago and is designed to leave a lasting mark on the communities that host Fed Cup ties. Kailua-Kona hosted the World Group II First Round matchup between the U.S. and Poland, won by the Americans, 4-0, this past weekend.
“Hawaii is a fantastic tennis [location] and has been a wonderful host for us during Fed Cup week,” said Katrina Adams, USTA Chairman of the Board, CEO and President. “The community has truly embraced the tennis this week and fully supports the USTA’s mission of growing the game. With this Fed Cup Legacy project, we are proud to leave a significant footprint in this town by renovating the tennis courts at Kona’s Old Airport and by also giving kids the opportunity to learn and play the sport.”
As part of the project, the tennis facility at Old Airport Park will be completely renovated, adding four new hard courts and creating a kid-friendly area complete with youth-sized tennis courts. A state-of-the-art lighting system will also be installed for fans to play at night.
The project, expected to be completed in December of this year, will be jointly executed with the USTA, the USTA Hawaii Pacific Section, the Hawaii County Park & Recreation Department, County Council and Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi. A special on-court ceremony to announce the project (pictured above) took place during the U.S.-Poland tie on Saturday, Feb. 6, in between the first and second singles matches.
“Hawaii has been a wonderful experience for everyone involved,” said Adams, “and the USTA is honored to give Kailua-Kona’s players a new opportunity to play on world-class facilities.”