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The Ulysses High School tennis courts are used extensively by the community, but UHS hasn’t played host to a home tennis match in years because the courts are in such a state of disrepair as to be deemed unsafe for competition. But the district wants to change all that, and USD 214 Athletic Director Travis McAtee gave a presentation to the Ulysses City Council July 9, proposing a potential partnership between the city, school district and Grant County Recreation to get the courts resurfaced and repainted.
“There’s a lot of damage on the courts right now, extensive damage,” McAtee said. “We see double lines in a lot of areas, just very worn-out surface, uneven texture, and if you know a tennis court at all, uneven texture is not a good thing.”
McAtee, who has been athletic director four years, said the courts have been a priority since he arrived in Ulysses but there have been higher-priority projects.
“The last several years, and I know prior to my four years, we have not hosted a tennis event at Ulysses High School because of the condition of the courts,” McAtee added. “It’s been several years since there’s been any resurface to those courts. The last attempt was many years ago, and whatever they did – kind of like what they did with the track band aid several years ago – it did not work.”
The tennis courts are next in line to be fixed since the basketball court at UHS has recently been refurbished, and the high school track was resurfaced and repaint ed last November.
“There’s quite extensive disrepair,” McAtee reiterated, “And a little embarrassing for everyone, I think, at this point.”
The goal is to improve safety, performance, extend the life of the courts, restore court performance, visual appeal, keep the facility competitive and community ready. Another goal is to add two pickle ball courts on the west side where the current green wall sits, for community use.
But why was McAtee presenting to the city council? Because the facility can be used by the community, not just Ulysses High School students.
“We want a better overall facility for our kids that practice in the fall, girls, and in the spring, the boys,” McAtee said. “We want to be able to host quality events for our kids and for the visiting teams that come in. We believe having a better facility is going to attract more kids to participate in tennis.
“The reason why I’m here is because of the reach of the facility, it does go far beyond our high school teams.”
The school district wants to work with the city and recreation department to move the project forward.
“These are the only tennis courts in town,” McAtee added. “So, beyond the high school teams using them, there’s people out there.”
The total cost of the project is $79,700, including adding two pickle ball courts.
McAtee said the school board was trying to ascertain if there’s a willingness for the city and recreation board to partner with the school district because these are the only tennis courts in Ulysses and they are used by more than just the high school students.
“We’d like to fit out a partnership with the Grant County Rec and the city, if at all possible, for the reasons we’ve talked about,” McAtee said. “Just creating a better facility for our student athletes, and our tennis programs for younger youth and the entire community.”
Councilman said the project falls under the coalition the city, school, county and others have formed.
“I think it’s a very doable price,” said councilman Terry Maas. “I think the biggest hook you’re going to have, and the benefit, is pushing the pickle-ball side of it, because that has become just crazy (popular).”
Councilman Ken Warner said the council is supportive and will await details and a timeline on the project.
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