If any residents or tourists have passed by the Anguilla Tennis Academy’s facility in Blowing Point, lately, they will have seen much progress. Although construction is somewhat behind schedule, due to labour problems and mass development is Anguilla, the facility is now much closer to nearing completion. The most obvious sign of major improvement is that the courts have finally been paved. Currently, representatives from Agile Courts are in the process of constructing the courts, putting up the fences, and placing the light fixtures. Yet, as equally noticeable, the stadium court is finally starting to take form. This centre court will be able to hold up to 2,500 people and will house bathrooms, locker rooms, an eating area and gymnasium. Moreover, the main building is 85% finished with only minor works left: tiling, placing the glass in the door frames, bathrooms, and some electrical work.

Brent at Tennis Facility

Although the official opening is still far off, actual play on the tennis courts will start in mid-June. The Anguilla Tennis Academy’s long running and acclaimed summer camp will actually take place at the new facility this year. Mitch Lake, founder of the ATA, is quite excited about the fact that the tennis camp he started back in 1996 will actually be held at a facility built for the children that he single-handedly thought up and made happen. Mitch said, “Words cannot describe how excited I am to see this project finally getting much closer to completion. The fact that the children will be able to play at the facility is a dream come true for me, many of our supporters and certainly the children. I want to thank the sponsors and everyone who has put so much time into making my dream a shared vision.”

Workers putting in net posts

When finished, the new facility will hopefully become the national facility of Anguilla and it will be the only tennis structure of its kind in the Caribbean. There are many tennis courts and facilities throughout the Lesser and Greater Antilles, but none are devoted strictly to children. Brent Worthley, Superintendent, is currently in charge of the construction of the seven tennis courts and is a representative of Agile Courts, a tennis court construction company with over 40 years of experience throughout the Caribbean. Agile Courts is responsible for building many courts around Anguilla such as St. Regis Temenos Villas and Cuisinart Resort and Spa. Brent has travelled extensively throughout the Caribbean and has built many courts. When he was asked how the ATA’s new facility compares, he observed, “This facility is one of the premier facilities in the Caribbean. When finished, it will be the best project I have ever worked within this region of the world. Anguillians should be proud of having such a prestigious sports complex of this magnitude. The design by Myron Goldfinger and the workmanship will not only make the ATA’s facility the best in the Caribbean, but one of the nicest and unique in even the southeast United States”.

With the courts becoming operational in June, the ATA’s director Jason Allen is beginning to make plans for the transitioning of all of the children’s programs. Jason spoke with The Anguillian on various issues concerning the opening of the facility. “One of the biggest issues facing the ATA’s tennis programs has always been space. With only one court operational, in The Valley, it has been interesting devising a program in which our 80 or more children could not only play tennis, but receive meaningful instruction at the same time. With the added court space, I am looking forward to being able to provide a higher standard of teaching and a more conducive environment for learning. Also, contingent upon staffing, I am going to look into doing satellite programs around the island in which some kids can participate in the park, some in East End, and the rest at the new facility. An increase in numbers is another issue we can entertain now as well. I must say that this is an exciting time for the ATA and I am certainly proud and thankful of the hard work that Mitch Lake, members of the ATA Board, and friends and sponsors have put forth to make this unparalleled project happen.”

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