New tennis courts completed

The courts will also be open to the public when they’re not being used for practice and matches.

The four courts have blue surfaces. A new fence surrounds them and security lights have been installed.

In March, town meeting voters approved $250,000 to replace the tennis courts and make other improvements.

The school had three tennis courts that were demolished this summer; they were built more 30 years ago and resurfaced about 12 years ago. Drainage problems and exposure to the elements had left them with uneven surfaces, puddles and huge cracks. In addition, the fence surrounding the courts was sagging.

Tennis courts generally need to be resurfaced every 10 years and replaced every 20 years.

The boys’ and girls’ tennis teams have been practicing and playing games at the Stowehof Inn tennis courts for the past several years.

While Graves praised Stowehof for allowing the teams to use its courts, the situation wasn’t ideal. Tennis team members had to go into the inn to change into their uniforms, and they had to pull weeds that grew in cracks in the courts.

About 40 boys and girls play tennis each season. Everyone plays varsity, as there are no junior varsity teams.

Student-athletes at the ribbon-cutting ceremony said they look forward to practicing and competing at the school.

“It eliminates the need to drive to the Stowehof so we have more time to practice,” said senior Katherine Miller.

“It will encourage more people to come out and watch,” said senior Meghan Driscoll.

Graves plans to incorporate tennis into the physical education curriculum for both the middle and high school, and would like to hold round-robin fundraisers at the courts to raise money for the tennis teams.