The United States Tennis Association (USTA) today announced its plans to create the new home for American tennis, a state-of-the-art facility at Lake Nona area in Orlando, Fla., that will enhance the sport at every level. The 100-plus court tennis center, which will house the USTA’s Community Tennis and Player Development divisions, will be divided into dedicated areas that will focus on the complete tennis pathway – from the youngest players, to recreational players, to collegians, to future professional players, and to professional tour level players. The target completion date is the fourth quarter of 2016.
“This new home for American tennis will truly be a game-changer for our sport,” said USTA Chairman of the Board and President Dave Haggerty. “This world-class facility will be an inclusive gathering place for American tennis and will allow us to impact our sport at every level, from the grassroots to the professional ranks.”
“Today’s announcement is wonderful news for families in Orlando. USTA’s expansion and creation of 154 new jobs will make Florida one of the top states for tennis in the nation, and this state-of-the-art facility will be the USTA’s first year-round outdoor facility,” said Florida Governor Rick Scott. “This new division headquarters will allow Floridians of all ages and skill set the opportunity to try their hand at tennis.”
“More than a decade ago we undertook a strategic plan for the development of the southeast sector of our City,” said City of Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. “The selection of Orlando for the United States Tennis Association’s new divisional headquarters further enhances this area and speaks to the value of our community’s assets – a talented labor force, business friendly environment and global access via a world-class airport.”
“Lake Nona is founded on the principles of innovative collaboration and inspiring human potential,” said Rasesh Thakkar, Senior Managing Director of Tavistock Group. “This campus at Lake Nona has all of the ingredients for the beginnings of a world-class sports and human performance cluster with the USTA setting the bar.”
The USTA is partnering with Lake Nona and Tavistock Group, along with a consortium of regional and state partners, to construct a facility in a hotbed for tennis and in the nation’s top destination city. The complex will be located on 63-acres of land and will include:
– Tournament and League Area – This area will include 24 clay courts and 16 hard courts. The space will include two player pavilions and a tournament administration office which will include trainer rooms, a stringer area, player lounge, public restrooms, and a check-in area. It will let the USTA deliver events like never before and will set a new functional standard for the sport.
– Collegiate Tennis Area – This area will feature 12 hard courts and one future tournament show court, and will serve as the home of the University of Central Florida’s Men’s and Women’s Varsity Tennis Program. The courts will be equipped with high mast lighting for televised events and have elevated seating for 1,200 people with room on the north and south end for additional seating. The area will allow two collegiate matches to be played simultaneously. Additionally, it will feature a two-story pavilion for concessions, public restrooms, team locker rooms, and areas for trainers and officials.
– Team USA Area – This area will include eight hard courts and eight clay courts. The courts will be utilized by the 17 USTA Sections, along with coaches and their players throughout the country to work collaboratively with USTA Player Development.
– High Performance and Player Development Area – This area will include eight hard courts, eight red clay courts, and six covered courts for the USTA Player Development division. The space includes dormitories that can house 32 boys and girls. The strength and conditioning area will include a sand and workout area. In addition, the area will be utilized for Team USA Events.
– 36/60’ Tennis – This area will include eight 36’ and eight 60’ courts enabling youth and adults to develop their games.
– USTA Office Building – The ground floor will include a tennis pro shop, fitness area, locker rooms, player lounge, and cafeteria with USTA offices occupying the second and third floors.
– Technology – The facility will be an epicenter for tennis innovation and education. It will incorporate the latest technology to provide an unparalleled playing, training and educational experience for players, coaches and spectators.
“UCF has embraced this project because it impacts academics, community partnerships, economic development and athletics,” said UCF President John C. Hitt. “Our students, our tennis players and our entire community will benefit from having the finest tennis facilities in the country at Lake Nona.”
“Our goal is simple, continue to raise the bar for our sport,” said Gordon Smith, USTA Executive Director and Chief Operating Office. “Our new facility in Orlando will help ensure we develop the next generation of players, coaches, tennis providers, officials and volunteers.”
The USTA Player Development division will move its national headquarters from Boca Raton, Fla. to Orlando, aiming to provide the best opportunities to succeed for the next generation of American tennis champions.
This new home for American tennis will host every type of tennis event from 10 and under team tennis events to national championships for those aged 90 and over. It will also provide a new vision of opportunities allowing the USTA to host new events to provide an exceptional experience for its patrons and members throughout the country. Additionally, the facility is in close proximity to the Orlando International Airport for visiting tennis players. The details of facility programming are forthcoming.
Lake Nona is a thoughtfully planned, innovative community in southeast Orlando driving more than $7 billion in economic activity in Central Florida. Highlighted by a life sciences cluster known as Medical City, Lake Nona has become home to some of the nation’s top hospitals, universities, research institutions and health and life science companies. Tavistock Group, the international private investment organization behind the 7,000-acre master-planned development at Lake Nona and the 650-acre Lake Nona Medical City healthcare cluster, provided an innovative structure to acquire the land for the new state-of-the-art facility and will act as lead developer on the 270,000-square-foot complex and its more than one hundred tennis courts.
