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Brenau Plans
Indoor Tennis Facility for Student/Community Use |
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President Ed Schrader recently received a
challenge that he cannot refuse. The opportunity stems from the continued
interest of long-time Brenau supporter and former owner of the Gainesville
Times newspaper, Lessie Smithgall - to build an indoor tennis facility on
the University campus as an enhancement of Brenau's Smithgall Tennis
Complex. The Brenau Board of Trustee Emeritus said
she hopes her example will excite other keen tennis buffs to step up in
support of the sport she loves, especially as the Gainesville area has no
other indoor courts. "Mrs. Smithgall has had a keen interest in tennis
since she was 12 years old and played for the next 70 years. She played at
Brenau's clay courts, which at the time had to be swept of leaves and
limbs before play could begin," Schrader said. |
Brenau University President Ed
Schrader, left, with Joe Morone of Joe Morone & Associates discuss the 3-D
perspective rendering of Brenau's proposed Smithgall indoor tennis center. |
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Smithgall has
recently given a generous leadoff donation towards the estimated $ 400,000
project, which will benefit Brenau's students and the community alike, he
said - but more dollars are needed to meet the final construction figure.
The 14,400-square-feet, clear-span structure, which will enclose two of
the existing Brenau University courts, will include bleachers, an
observation post and metal halide tournament lighting. At 48 feet high,
the roof will contain 20 skylights, with five rollup doors on each of the
120 feet-long side walls for fair-weather play. Brenau Athletic Director
and Head Coach Bill Rogers said he is excited about the project, which
will allow the University to host more tournaments and community
functions. "Now we'll be able to supply courts for rain-outs," he said,
"and offer more support and involvement to the popular community-member
groups such as USTA (United States Tennis Association), GTA (Georgia
Tennis Association) and ALTA (Atlanta Lawn and Tennis Association)."
President Schrader said he hopes that Gainesville-based construction
company Joe Morone and Associates will begin the 8 to 10 weeks long
project this summer.
Go to Brenau Sports Web» |
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