Thanks to the efforts of the Katonah-Lewisboro Community Tennis Association, ground broke on May 18 for the new six-court tennis complex on the John Jay High School campus.
The KLCTA was formed as a nonprofit organization to aid in the funding and building of this new complex, which will include courts, lighting and related tennis amenities on the campus for use by the district’s athletic teams, physical education classes, and the community at large.
“It has been about three years since the inception of the idea,” shared KLCTA President and JJHS varsity boys tennis coach Robert Labriola at the groundbreaking. He also thanked the Board of Education and district administration for their support throughout the process.
“It really began as a grassroots effort,” said Katonah-Lewisboro School District Assistant Superintendent for Business Michael Jumper. “They are gifting us the installation of the courts and we have just helped facilitate all of the requirements associated with school construction.”
The KLCTA has so far raised $520,000 toward the project and is still accepting donations that will assist with underground preparation of the site, bonding and insurance.
The United States Tennis Association has also shared its support for the complex, stating in a letter to Labriola: “We could not help but to be caught up with the excitement of what this tennis center would mean to the community. We believe building courts is a great ambition, but building a tennis ‘community’ is what is really happening here, and we are 100 percent behind your passion and efforts.”
Labriola said he is excited to see the high school tennis teams and their supporters enjoying practices and matches on the new courts, as well as middle school students utilizing the space during physical education classes.
In addition, “I see USTA leagues, junior team tennis, conference tournaments, parents of students and community members using the facility. Our JJHS campus will be nicely rounded out by having another sport and facility for all to use.”
Construction is slated to begin this week.
“In about 12 weeks, we will do a ribbon cutting,” said Labriola.
The KLCTA was formed as a nonprofit organization to aid in the funding and building of this new complex, which will include courts, lighting and related tennis amenities on the campus for use by the district’s athletic teams, physical education classes, and the community at large.
“It has been about three years since the inception of the idea,” shared KLCTA President and JJHS varsity boys tennis coach Robert Labriola at the groundbreaking. He also thanked the Board of Education and district administration for their support throughout the process.
“It really began as a grassroots effort,” said Katonah-Lewisboro School District Assistant Superintendent for Business Michael Jumper. “They are gifting us the installation of the courts and we have just helped facilitate all of the requirements associated with school construction.”
The KLCTA has so far raised $520,000 toward the project and is still accepting donations that will assist with underground preparation of the site, bonding and insurance.
The United States Tennis Association has also shared its support for the complex, stating in a letter to Labriola: “We could not help but to be caught up with the excitement of what this tennis center would mean to the community. We believe building courts is a great ambition, but building a tennis ‘community’ is what is really happening here, and we are 100 percent behind your passion and efforts.”
Labriola said he is excited to see the high school tennis teams and their supporters enjoying practices and matches on the new courts, as well as middle school students utilizing the space during physical education classes.
In addition, “I see USTA leagues, junior team tennis, conference tournaments, parents of students and community members using the facility. Our JJHS campus will be nicely rounded out by having another sport and facility for all to use.”
Construction is slated to begin this week.
“In about 12 weeks, we will do a ribbon cutting,” said Labriola.
K