Photo by Can Türkyilmaz
The Samuell-Grand Tennis Center is on track for improvements that could take it back to its glory days, when it drew major tournaments and tennis celebrities.
We reported in January that a management team has taken over the center with intentions to foster a tennis culture in East Dallas.
And City Council next week is set to approve construction on a nearly $1 million, 2,500-square-foot pro shop and locker rooms there.
Construction is expected to begin next month on the $935,695 project, which is scheduled to be completed in October.
Bond funds from 2006 will pay for $835,695, and the remaining $100,000 is from Samuell expendable funds.
When we interviewed tennis pro Duey Evans last year, he said he hopes the center could someday host a major tennis
tournament. Its layout and grounds make it attractive for such an event.
The pro shop will help, but the center would have to raise enough money to resurface the courts. Their goal is to plan a tournament to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Arthur Ashe’s performance in the Davis Cup, when it was played there in August 1965.
