Central Falls and international tennis leaders to break ground on new tennis courts and expand programming for city youth

Previously the only RI municipality without a tennis court, new Central Falls courts are funded by the U.S. Tennis Association – New England and RI Dept. of Environmental Management

CENTRAL FALLS, RI (August 2, 2021) – Previously the only municipality in Rhode Island without a tennis court, Central Falls leaders and community members are being joined by international tennis industry leaders to break ground on the city’s new tennis courts designed to expose more inner-city youth to the sport of tennis.

Since 2015, USTA New England has been working to introduce tennis to more Central Falls youth through free training to local physical educators, the community police force, the Parks and Recreation Department, programs at Progreso Latino, and more. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, with many waitlisted programs. Until now, youth in these programs have relied on playing in creative spaces (gyms, drawings of makeshift courts on asphalt parking lots, etc.).

The new tennis courts are funded by the U.S. Tennis Association – New England and the RI Department of Environmental Management. Opportunities will continue growing for youth in the city to be exposed to the sport through a new partnership with the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Construction is anticipated to be completed on the new courts in fall 2021.

WHAT:

Groundbreaking for new Central Falls tennis courts with city and international tennis industry leaders.

WHO:

  • Mayor Maria Rivera, City of Central Falls
  • Todd Martin, former 4th-ranked pro player in the world and CEO of the International Tennis Hall of Fame
  • Dave Champoux, President, U.S. Tennis Association – New England
  • Claudia Mejia, Central Falls youth exposed to tennis through free programming at Progreso Latino through USTA New England
  • RI Department of Environmental Management

WHEN:

Tuesday, August 3, 2021

10:00am

WHERE:

Sacred Heart Tennis Courts, 1 Sacred Heart Avenue, Central Falls, RI 02863

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