Local sports centers weigh in on planned U.S. Tennis Association Mid-Atlantic tennis facility

In February of this year, the United States Tennis Association Mid-Atlantic (USTA MAS) announced it will locate its new headquarters and state-of-the-art tennis facility in Innovation Park, in Prince William County. The Board of County Supervisors approved an agreement between USTA MAS and the Industrial Development Authority (IDA) of Prince William County and agreed to assign a $100,000 Economic Development Opportunity Fund (EDOF) grant as an incentive for the project, which is due to be completed by 2021.

The USTA Mid-Atlantic Section, one of 17 sections of the United States Tennis Association, is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization serving more than 33,000 members in the D.C. metro area. According to the USTA MAS, tennis players of all ages and skill levels are involved in leagues, tournaments and programs sanctioned by the section. Over 300,000 visitors are anticipated to visit the new USTA facility per year.

Will the new USTA MAS facility affect local centers?

A variety of sport centers stand to be impacted by the new facility, but according to two local center representatives, the move will be a benefit to tennis players.

“I think the facility will be an impactful addition to prince William county,” said Monte Evans, Director of Sports Management at Competitive Edge Athletic Performance Center in Woodbridge.

“Tennis is one of the underserved sports in the area, and this will allow youth to be introduced to the sport at a young age.”

Competitive Edge partners with a number of organizations to bring sports training and programs to the area.

Evans said in the past, he had the opportunity to work with USTA MAS to host a youth tennis class at Competitive Edge and was able to talk to parents about their interest in having their child participate, but at the time, there were “never enough resources in the county to offer training year round.” The new facility could change that.

Jason Shriner, Marketing Manager for the Department of Parks and Recreation, City of Manassas Park said, “I think I speak on behalf of everyone here at Manassas Park, Parks and Recreation when I say I think this a great opportunity to increase recreational opportunities in our area.”

Shriner said since his department doesn’t specialize in tennis, he doesn’t think there will be a positive or negative impact on Manassas Park, specifically. “But I think tennis players will definitely be happy,” he said.

“Tennis courts can also be costly and time consuming to maintain, repair and replace, so having a facility that specializes in tennis will give players additional alternatives as courts go down for maintenance.”

A boost for pickleball?

Shriner also said he hopes that the tennis courts are “flexed” to accommodate pickleball.

Played with a paddle and a plastic ball with holes, pickleball combines elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong. It can be played indoors or out on a badminton-sized court with a modified tennis net.

“As a parks and recreation professional and an avid pickleball player myself, we have seen a surge in popularity in the sport here in Manassas Park. This is a common pattern all over the country especially in the year round warm states like Florida.”

Shriner said, “Our facility alone has about 50 regulars in a club named the Old Dominion Dinkers.”

According to Shriner, having pickleball lines on a court shouldn’t be distracting. He cited basketball courts, which often have multiple lines.  And adapting tennis courts for pickleball would accommodate local players who most often have to play outside.

“Right now, the most popular courts to play outdoors on this end of the county are Stonewall Park and Metz Middle school. Both are maintained by the City of Manassas, but even then, space is limited. In our area, the weather stays mild up until November, but with school in session Metz isn’t available during the school week.”

Shriner added that  Pickleball is particularly popular with seniors, especially who may be unable to play their favorite racquet sports now due to limited mobility or disabilities.

“Pickleball has become an excellent recreational opportunity for seniors to keep up on their fitness well into their 80s,” he said.

“To be honest, if the new facility misses out on accommodations for pickleball, it’ll be a huge missed opportunity.”

The USTA MAS expects to host USTA programs, tournaments, recreational and public tennis play and special events at the tennis complex.  According to the Prince William County Department of Economic Development release, “There will be additional activities in conjunction with the Freedom Aquatics & Fitness Center; George Mason University’s School of Recreation, Health & Tourism; the College of Health & Human Services; the Prince William County Parks & Recreation Department; and Prince William County Schools.”