Exciting improvements are on the way for the tennis courts at Bethel-Tate Middle School, thanks to a collaborative effort involving community partners and grant funding.
The Bethel Area Tennis Association has secured $59,090 through the United States Tennis Association (USTA) Tennis Venue Services Grant to support the reconstruction of three tennis courts at Bethel-Tate Middle School. The project will include an asphalt overlay, blended tennis playing lines, and new chain-link fencing to enhance the facility.
“We are committed to supporting the enhancement and construction of tennis facilities in communities across the country,” said Theodore Loehrke, Managing Director, Section Partnerships, USTA. “Investing in the development of tennis facilities nationwide helps support the USTA’s mission of growing tennis to inspire healthier people and communities everywhere.”
In addition, the Clermont County Board of Commissioners has committed $60,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding to support the Bethel-Tate School Tennis Court Improvement Project.
Together, these investments will help modernize the courts and expand opportunities for students and community members to stay active and enjoy the sport of tennis.
Superintendent Melissa Kircher, who serves on the Bethel Area Tennis Association Board, has worked closely with Director Lori Lenhart on the project. She emphasized the importance of community partnerships.
“This project is a wonderful example of what can happen when community organizations, local government, and schools work together toward a shared goal. We are grateful to the Bethel Area Tennis Association for their support. These improvements will benefit our students while also providing a welcoming space for the Bethel-Tate community, as the courts will remain open for public use once the project is completed.”
Bethel-Tate Middle School Principal Dr. Christen Davis also expressed appreciation for the investment and excitement about what it could mean for students.
“We are incredibly grateful to the community partners who helped make this project possible. These improvements will provide our students with a safe and high - quality place to learn and play the game of tennis. We’re also excited about the opportunity this creates for Bethel-Tate Middle School to potentially introduce tennis as a part of our athletics program in the future, building on the strong tennis program already established at Bethel-Tate High School.”
Bethel Area Tennis Association Director Lori Lenhart emphasized the value of this project to the community as a whole.
“The reconstruction of the tennis courts opens up tremendous possibilities to community programming. We are committed to providing access to tennis to our schools and community members, and the updated courts gives us an open door to expanding our efforts. Not only will our youth benefit, but programming efforts will expand to our adult population and families as well as for adaptive tennis programming. We are thankful for the partnership formed with Bethel Tate Local Schools, community organizations and local businesses. Our main focus is utilizing tennis for boosting physical, mental, and emotional wellness for citizens residing in our community and our region.”
Additionally, the Bethel Area Tennis Association secured a grant for a coed middle school tennis team! It is being run through our tennis association, Mrs. Lenhart said. We have 15 players. The majority of the players attend BTMS.
The Bethel-Tate Local School District extends its sincere appreciation to the Bethel Area Tennis Association, Director Lenhart, the Clermont County Board of Commissioners, and the United States Tennis Association for their partnership and support.
Through collaborative community efforts like these, meaningful improvements become possible, Superintendent Kircher added. With school district resources carefully focused on classroom instruction and student services, partnerships play a vital role in enhancing facilities that benefit both students and the broader Bethel-Tate community.