New outdoor courts ready for use at Vancouver Tennis Center

Soon to be installed windscreens — courtesy of the non-profit Vancouver Tennis Center Foundation — will include the Trappers’ logo on the north end.

Fundraising and planning for the project took two years and included several starts and stops. The VTC Foundation spearheaded fundraising efforts and worked to solve funding hurdles along with the City of Vancouver, which operates VTC. Dick Hannah, who was instrumental in getting the tennis center built in 1975, and his car dealerships helped raise funds for this improvement.

Michele Rudi, co-president of the VTC foundation, listed the Foundation for Vancouver Public Schools and the Trappers Booster Club among those who provided support for the project.

Some players will prefer to use the nine climate-controlled indoor courts, but Waddle said that the outdoor courts will be a plus for players who compete regionally and nationally — particularly junior players whose biggest tournaments are played outdoors.

In addition to the four regulation tennis courts, the surface includes shaded blue lines for two 60-foot courts and six 36-foot courts for the youngest players. There are also lines for four pickleball courts. About 25 people attended the first official pickleball session on Aug. 29.

“It is exciting to see to courts being used not only for tennis but also pickleball,” Rudi said. “We hope this program continues to grow to bring more people, activity and revenue to the club.”

Lower oil prices this year helped make a complete rebuild of the original courts possible, Waddle noted. The courts, complete with new fencing, were built by Beynon Sports Surfaces of Tualatin, Ore. The final cost came in at around $168,000 according to Waddle, after extra work was done to fix several soft spots under the original base layer.

If they are maintained, these courts should match the four-decade life of the original courts built in 1975, Waddle said.

A key to a long life for tennis courts is preventing water from sitting on the surface. To that end, the new courts have a 1-percent slope to the north and south with the crown at the fence dividing the north and south courts. One-percent is the maximum slope allowed by the United States Tennis Federation.

Regular maintenance includes fixing any cracks as soon as they appear, Waddle said. After several years searching to make the old courts viable and versatile, Waddle said he won’t mind a little extra maintenance work.

Vancouver Tennis and Racquetball Center

Location: 5300 E. 18th St.

What’s new: Four rebuilt outdoor courts opened this month. In addition to tennis, the courts have lines for pickleball courts and a new pickleball program started last week.

Rental fees: Non-member fees for the outdoor courts range from $6 to $9 per person for 75 minutes. Indoor court rental fees cost more.

More information: To learn about memberships and VTC programs, including group and individual lessons, call 360-487-8123.