New Courts to Give Ocean City Tennis Players Advantage

By MADDY VITALE For years, the tennis courts at Fifth Street in Ocean City have been widely used by the high school for gym class, the school tennis teams, the public and for city-run clinics. But despite the city-owned courts being maintained, over the years they have become weathered from the elements and age. There are five asphalt and five turf courts. There are cracks in some of the asphalt courts and turf is worn at some of the other courts. City Council approved a resolution at the Jan. 25 meeting to hire a contractor to resurface the asphalt and turf courts. In addition, the project will include lighting both the turf and asphalt courts for night play. “The tennis community would like to see the courts improved. We know from the feedback we received, that we need to improve the asphalt courts because there are some cracks and some of the turf courts are worn,” Michael Allegretto, aide to Mayor Jay Gillian, explained Wednesday. Allegretto said the courts have been there since shortly after the high school was built in 2004, so right around 2005. The courts have been there since the school was built nearly 20 years ago. The courts are a widely used amenity for the public and also the tennis teams. “There are clinics there on Mondays and different tournaments. We have two summer camps and two weekly camps there too,” Allegretto noted. The high school girls tennis team plays on the Fifth Street courts in the fall and the boys tennis team begins in March 15. Allegretto said that the city will make it a point to have a contractor do the work as soon as possible. However, the goal is not to disrupt the tennis season. “We will hire a contractor to do the work,” Allegretto noted. “But we certainly will not start work when the boys tennis season starts.” The other courts in town include asphalt and turf courts at 18th Street and at 34th Street. Tennis continues to be a popular sport in town. “We certainly have our summer visitors and year-round residents who enjoy tennis and use the tennis-only courts,” he said. __ Paid for by Michael DeVlieger