New Kent leaders approve transfer of funds for tennis courts construction

New Kent County’s board of supervisors bestowed their blessing for the construction of tennis courts for the high school during their regular monthly meeting.

Voting unanimously 5-0 on Sept. 14, county leaders approved the transfer of $345,000 from the school’s set aside account to its capital improvement funds account.

Superintendent of schools David Myers addressed the supervisors during the regular meeting, speaking on the process and the approval of school board meetings at the Sept. 10 regular meeting.

“I come before you to ask for the transfer of funds for this project,” Myers said. “The school board has approved the contract and are awaiting the decision from this board [of supervisors] to go ahead to begin construction.”

Myers provided a brief summary of the timeline of events for the consideration and construction of the courts. In February, the superintendent announced that due to deteriorating conditions of the current tennis courts, located adjacent to New Kent Elementary School, would prevent any home matches during the spring season.

The announcement was immediately met with an outcry from concerned residents. District 1 supervisor Thomas Evelyn commented at a March 12 retreat that he received calls from constituent on the issue. Evelyn and county administrator Rodney Hathaway inspected the courts, saying they didn’t realize how bad of shape the 40-year old courts were in.

Preliminary studies begin, with debate focused on if the courts should be relocated closer to the high school or rebuilt in the same area. After four months of study and input, a decision to move the courts to the front of the high school was approved due to its proximity to the building, financial cost, to provide possible expansion at New Kent Elementary, and to prevent any additional damage due to drainage issues at the current location.

While school board members approved a contract with Tennis Courts Inc. at the September regular meeting, supervisors posed final questions to Myers.

“How soon will construction begin?” asked Evelyn.

“We are waiting for the approval tonight and we plan to sign the contract tomorrow (Sept. 15) morning,” responded Myers.

“Are you sure this is what the schools need?” asked District 4 Ron Stiers. “Do you think this is the best use for this money?”

“I believe at this time and from the number of comments we have received, I believe this will benefit the county,” Myers said. “I have not seen many schools of our size that didn’t have a tennis facility on campus.

“The tennis facility will be accessible to county residents as well,” the superintendent continued. “I know there is a large contingent looking to use them once they are built.”

“You know, I was against this at first,” responded Stiers. “I was against anything that could possibly raise taxes and cost our taxpayers money to fund this project.

“I believe that your intentions are good and that you have been straightforward and honest with us,” the District 4 representative concluded.

Supervisors granted approval of the transfer of funds to complete the construction of the facility that will include six full-size tennis courts and a wall for practice. Construction will take place at its new location in front of the school on the middle school football practice field and the shot and discus areas used for track and field. The project is expected to be completed by the end of the year and in time for the upcoming tennis season in Spring 2016.