YOUR SERVE! Red Lodge Tennis needs YOU on its team.

When the temperature hits 50 degrees, the winds are under 20 m.p.h., and the three tennis courts at Field School Park in Red Lodge are snow-free, intrepid players of all ages are out there hitting. The courts are busy spring, summer, and fall with locals and visitors alike. They are a community anchor where resident tennis players gather regularly, some for decades. Newcomers make friends at the courts, and visitors leave happier and are more likely to return after the chance to play their favorite pastime.

Tennis is a sport for life. People in their 80’s are as likely to be on the courts as those in their 20s, perhaps at the same time, playing singles, doubles, and mixed matches. It’s exercise. It’s fresh air. It’s friendly competition that brings people together, and it appeals to both men and women.

There are about 21 million tennis players in the USA with participation growing at a robust 8% per year. Our community is home to tennis players of all ages and abilities, from beginners to professionals. Red Lodge regularly produces ranked players who compete in statewide, intermountain sectional, and national tournaments.

In addition, women’s tennis is a popular team sport at Red Lodge High School. The Field School Park courts are their home courts. Periodically, the Red Lodge “legends” (local players) practice with the high school team to help build skills, simulate match play, and have fun! Unfortunately, the current courts at Field School Park do not meet the standards of high school tennis nor the United States Tennis Association (USTA).

These proposed courts will expand the facilities already located in the park, which include soccer, softball, trails, and disc golf, while providing much-needed court space for the high school and the community.

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Watch this video to learn how these new tennis courts will improve our community and how you can help see this dream come true.

Drawing of the proposed courts in Coal Miner’s Park, northwest of the high school
DEUCE! Time to hit an ace.

This two-Phase project is underway, supported by the City of Red Lodge and Red Lodge High School, but in need of financial support.

These proposed courts will expand the facilities already located in the park, which include soccer, softball, trails, and disc golf, while providing much needed court-space for the high school and the community.
 
The city has agreed to lease this land to the school district. The school district will manage and maintain the courts. The new courts will provide the needed infrastructure for our high school women’s tennis team, meaning an appropriate practice venue and the ability to host tennis meets.
 
The four-court facility will also be suitable for tennis camps and local USTA tournaments. Camps and tournaments bring people to Red Lodge who also take advantage of our restaurants, lodging, and shopping, generating income for local businesses.
 
New court construction is included in the City of Red Lodge’s City Parks 5-Year Capital Improvements Plan. The time is right to bring this exciting new asset to our community for the benefit of our high school, residents, businesses, and visitors
Game, Set, Match!
We need your support to build the new courts in Coal Miner’s Park. Help us create this premier recreational asset for our community.
 
Estimated Cost of the New Courts: $1M
 
Local Fundraising Goal: $860,000
 
The remaining cost will be funded through a grant from the USTA. The USTA offers non-competitive grants for new courts at $35,000 per court. The USTA will also provide free of charge, venue and design services, and assistance with administrative functions such as managing the bidding process.
 
Work completed to date:
  • Support from local entities such as City Council, Parks Board, Land Use Committee, Public Works, Red Lodge School Board
  • Philanthropic donations totaling >$250,000
  • USTA support and funding $140,000
  • Site survey, design and planning in collaboration with the City of Red Lodge and a contracted engineering firm
  • Collaboration for funding with the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF)
 
Local donations are critical to the success of this community project.
Donate to the Red Lodge Tennis Complex

Donations are 100% tax deductible through the Red Lodge Area Community Foundation.