courts for city of Troy

By BETH LAKEY

Staff Writer

May 2, 2000 10 PM

Tennis anyone?

That’s what Troy Mayor Jimmy Lunsford is asking citizens who will soon have a facility for playing.

Lunsford was recently notified by Gov. Don Siegelman that the city was approved for a $338,933 Community Enhancement Grant to help finance construction of a tennis complex.

"I am pleased to assist Troy with this project," Siegelman said.

He is pleased the city is continuing efforts to improve the quality of life for the people it serves by providing a local cash match of $400,000 to make the project possible.

The tennis complex will include 12 lighted courts, a manager’s office, equipment storage, restroom facilities and parking for 50 cars.

"It’s going to be a neat complex," Lunsford said.

According to the governor’s office, the complex will benefit nearly 4,000 individuals, most of whom are in low to moderate income households.

Lunsford said the tennis facility will be located on Elm Street. The parking lot will be between the complex and the Troy State University softball field planned for that area.

Actually, the project will be a joint effort between TSU, the city of Troy and the Troy City Schools.

Once the city receives official notification, selection of the architect will be done. Lunsford said he would like the architect to meet with local tennis coaches and those from the tennis community about their needs and desires for the complex. After that is completed, the bid process will take between a month and six weeks. Then, construction can begin.

Funding for Community Enhancement Grants is made available through the Community Development Block Grant Program of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. In Alabama, the grants are administered by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs.