Bay City tennis courts recognized on a national level

After years of planning and fundraising, the Bay Community Tennis Association (BCTA) finally saw its new tennis court complex open in June. As if that wasn’t rewarding enough, the BCTA is now being recognized for its hard work.

The United States Tennis Association has recognized the BCTA with the Northeastern Michigan CTA of the Year Award for 2019. The CTA award goes to community tennis associations that successfully promote and grow the game of tennis.

"This USTA award supports the 175 donors who expressed belief in the importance of recreational facilities available to the general public in Bay City and similar communities," says Joe Ricard, president of the Bay Community Tennis Association.

"We are pleased for the recognition provided to the numerous contractors who provided the quality work on the project plus to the Dow Bay Area Family YMCA for collaborating with the BCTA to provide top-notch programming."
 

'Awards are important as we move forward in maintaining and enhancing the site because it legitimizes our efforts in guaranteeing the site remains enjoyable to all.'
– Tennis Association President Joe Ricard

The BCTA was conceived in 2010, after complaints grew over the state of the city’s tennis courts. Ten years and more than $500,000 raised through fundraising efforts and organizational grants later, The Janet H. Jopke Courts located at Richard Shaw Park was built.

The courts received gifts as much as $50,000 from the State of Michigan and its placemaking initiative Public Spaces Community Places to individual gifts for $25 – and everything in between.

Sitting on the site of the former Jefferson Elementary School, the Jopke Courts feature 8 tennis courts, public restrooms, community events space, new landscaping, and more.

A grand opening celebration for the courts was held on Thurs., June 6, 2019.

"This and other awards are important as we move forward in maintaining and enhancing the site because it legitimizes our efforts in guaranteeing the site remains enjoyable to all," Ricard says.

The Janet H. Jopke Courts are located at Richard Shaw Park in Bay City.

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