Tuesday, June 13, 2023–7:41 p.m.

-David Crowder, WRGA News-

The Rome Tennis Center at Berry College continues to be an economic engine with an estimated economic impact of around $6,000,000 annually. As more tournaments come to town, future expansion is likely for the facility.

“Just so you know, there is expansion on the horizon, and that’s a good thing,” Lisa Smith with the Greater Rome Convention and Visitors Bureau told members of the city’s general administration meeting Tuesday.

According to Smith, the next expansion could be the enclosure of the north pavilion, so there can be tournament operations for the indoor facilities. There is also a need for more toilets, but Smith told the committee, the current plan for that is unfeasible.

“They would have to come up through the main and through the entire facility to actually tie on to a new water system here,” Smith said. “That’s just another thought process that I’m not sure any of us are willing to think about.”

Smith suggested bringing in a mobile toilet and shower unit on a trial basis during one of the major tournaments to see what kind of use pattern there would be.

For the immediate future, a new marquee sign has been bid out.

“The bids are back, and now we are asking for references and more photos,” Smith said. “So, hopefully, we will see come up. The drawings are done, the architecture is done and it absolutely beautiful. We have two companies that have bid on it.”

The marquee sign will replace the temporary two-sided sign located at the entrance to the facility.

Tuesday’s general administration committee meeting was held at the tennis center facility, which was completed in 2016. Six indoor courts were added and completed in March 2020. The 51,063 sq. ft. facility features 6 conditioned courts and seating for over 400 spectators.