February 12th, 2018 by WCBC Radio
Allegany College of Maryland is making plans to renovate its tennis complex for community benefit thanks to a state grant and the endorsement of the Allegany County Commissioners.
The state’s Board of Public Works recently approved the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ recommendation to allocate $80,000 in Program Open Space funds for the resurfacing and lighting project.
The college’s seven tennis courts will be restored to competition quality for practice and tournament play by high school teams as well as recreation by residents of Cumberland, Allegany County and the surrounding area.
The public is welcome to play on the courts, located adjacent to the Physical Education Building, and to do so without charge.
Three of the seven tennis courts will be lighted for the first time, which will extend play into the evening. Another first for the complex will be provisions for pickle ball, a paddle sport that is growing in popularity.
One of the tennis courts will also be striped for pickle ball, which combines elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong, and, with slight adjustment, uses a regular tennis net for both singles and doubles play.
ACM is providing a local match to the state grant to bring the total cost of the resurfacing project to about $100,000.
Fencing around tennis complex will likewise be renewed in conjunction with the project. The college is separately funding this improvement as a complement to its renovation
Resurfacing of the college courts, which last occurred nearly a quarter-century ago, will return them to high-quality standards for scholastic competition and community recreation. They were an original feature of the campus when it opened in 1969.
Restoration of ACM’s tennis complex, which should be completed in May according to current projections, is among other athletic improvements planned for the campus.
These include the addition of a softball field for use by the college and the community. That project is being funded by a $120,000 state grant from the Community Parks and Playgrounds Program accepted last fall by the Cumberland City Council.
These and other ACM athletic and recreation facilities have the support of college maintenance through the Physical Plant staff and security through the campus Security Department.
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