23-court tennis complex proposed

Diana Sahagun

Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2002 | 9:32 a.m.

The city of Las Vegas wants to develop a regional tennis facility that may ultimately be the site of national events.

The Las Vegas City Council this morning was expected to enter into negotiations with the Nevada Tennis Association and the local Darling Foundation for the long-term development, sponsorship and operation of the tennis complex. It would be built as part of a 150-acre park near Buffalo Drive and Washington Avenue in the Summerlin area.

The Darling family has long been involved in sponsorship of youth activities. Through the foundation, Fred Darling, father of Ron, Amanda, and Stacy -- who were killed in auto accidents -- raises thousands of dollars for local charities annually.

"If the facility were developed, there are any number of tournaments that could be held there," Fred Darling said. "Everybody wants to come here, and there is a huge tennis community, and they really haven't been able to do that for years."

The 20-acre, 23-court regional tennis complex, bound by Buffalo, Summerlin Parkway, Durango and Vegas drives, would be the largest in Southern Nevada. The nearest facility capable of playing host to pro and amateur tournaments is in San Diego, said Sandy Foley, executive director for the Nevada Tennis Association.

"We're one of the only cities of our size that doesn't have a large public tennis facility," she said.

City Councilwoman Lynette Boggs McDonald has received $3 million in city funding for the first phase of development, but said partnerships with Nevada Tennis Association and the Darling Foundation could cover costs associated with the development and operation of the facility.

"There are a shortage of tennis courts in the city," she said. "When the U.S. Tennis Association is looking to host national tournaments, they require 23 courts."

The tennis complex, expected to cost about $10 million, would also include a lighted championship tennis court with seating for about 1,500.

The park would ultimately include a recreation center, amphitheater, dog park and walking trails.

Despite its size the tennis complex would still not be large enough to play host to the Davis Cup or other pro-circuit tournaments. But other tournaments, including the Challenger series, adult leagues and youth and senior national tournaments, can be played in facilities with seating to accommodate 500 to 1,500.

Boggs McDonald said the park's location would prove ideal because it is near the Suncoast and the Regent Las Vegas, in addition to several restaurants.

"There are large economic development windfalls for those communities that host these events," she said.

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