The city of Murfreesboro and MTSU officials unveiled the long-anticipated Adams Indoor Tennis Complex Wednesday, July 15, an eight-court facility that greatly enhances the Blue Raider tennis program while also expanding playing and tournament opportunities for area residents.

The new $5.8 million complex covers a footprint of 70,000 square feet at 925 Golf Lane and represents the latest partnership between the city of Murfreesboro, MTSU and the nonprofit Christy-Houston Foundation.

Among its amenities are:

• Eight state-of-the-art courts and support facilities.
• Two electronic scoreboards, locker rooms, lounge area and pro shop with tennis equipment and apparel.
• Two floors with a mezzanine for spectator viewing that includes bleachers, TV lounge with tables and chairs.
• An awning extending toward the outdoor tennis courts to provide shading for special events.

“This new complex is something the entire community can be proud of for years to come,” said Lanny Goodwin, director of Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation.

“This certainly fulfills the vision that the city and MTSU had when we embarked on a bold endeavor to build a permanent home for Blue Raider tennis and superb recreational opportunities for the Murfreesboro community.”

Dr. Sidney A. McPhee

Since 2008, MTSU tennis teams have practiced and played at an indoor facility at Nashboro Village in Nashville, nearly 30 miles from the campus.

The agreement with the city gives MTSU priority access to the complex from 1 to 4 p.m. from November until March, allowing Blue Raider tennis practices and matches to take place. During those months, the Murfreesboro community will have access during morning and evening hours.

“This is another in a series of partnerships that benefit both MTSU and the city of Murfreesboro,” said MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee.

“The new indoor home for Blue Raider tennis will not only enhance the men’s and women’s programs but showcase these excellent programs by affording the community the opportunity to watch these players in action without having to travel to Nashville.”

MTSU provided $1.8 million from the university’s Centennial Campaign to help fund the project. The Christy-Houston Foundation gave $500,000 to the city toward the effort.

The facility’s name stems from the generosity of the Adams Family Foundation, a Murfreesboro-based foundation established by family members of the late Dr. Carl and Jeanie Mae Adams that has supported educational, religious and health-related organizations throughout the Middle Tennessee area.

The family’s love for tennis has been passed down through several generations, and the strength of the local tennis community is due in large part to the support of the Adams family, officials said.

Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation =will operate the complex, including outdoor court usage and reservations. Adams Tennis Complex members will enjoy special rates for court usage, clinics and other benefits. Fees for community usage are available at www.murfreesborotn.gov/tennisfees.

A youngster attending the ribbon cutting for the Adams Indoor Tennis Complex breaks in one of the eight courts inside the new facility at Old Fort Park. The joint project between MTSU and the city of Murfreesboro will be the new home for the Blue Raider tennis program. (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli)

The new complex includes lockers for MTSU players and opens as the men’s tennis program is surging under coach Jimmy Borendame. The Blue Raiders’ 2015 recruiting class was rated 25th nationally, according to www.tennisrecruiting.com. Meanwhile, the women’s team recently finished 75th nationally with an impressive overall 19-5 record.

“This greatly enhances MTSU tennis,” said MTSU Director of Athletics Chris Massaro, who also serves as a member of the Tennis Committee.

“The new complex will arguably be the best in Conference USA and one of the best in the nation.”

Massaro noted that the complex will be the site for the Conference USA Women’s Tennis Championships in April 2016 and the men’s tennis championships in 2017.

Chris Massaro

“Conference USA competition and tournaments will be a major attraction,” added Goodwin. “We would not have been able to move forward on this community endeavor without MTSU’s support.”

The complex connects to Old Fort Park’s 24 outdoor courts, which includes 16 lighted courts. The outdoor courts are spaced for convenience, allowing easy access and viewing with a courtyard in the middle, officials said.

Planners also incorporated energy efficiency and environmentally friendly practices into the complex, including new pervious pavers in the parking lot, plaza, sidewalks and service road as well as other stormwater management features that dovetail with stream restoration and conservation efforts in the park.

Hardcastle Construction Inc. built the facility, and Lose & Associates Inc. provided architectural services and site planning.

To run the complex, the city recently promoted Murfreesboro native and MTSU graduate Gary Arbit to operations coordinator and hired two assistant operations coordinators: Pam Owen, who has two decades of tennis industry experience, and Cayce Neal, a Murfreesboro native, 2011 MTSU graduate and avid tennis player.

The city also is hiring a new head tennis professional to oversee group tennis lessons, tennis leagues and tournaments and manage staff responsible for assisting with tennis activities.

The new Adams Tennis Complex will be open to the public beginning July 15. Hours of operation will be 7 a.m-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday.

For more information about the Adams Tennis Complex, contact Neal at cneal@murfreesborotn.gov or visit www.murfreesborotn.gov/index.aspx?nid=807.

MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee, center holding scissors, was joined by other university officials, city of Murfreesboro officials, private donors and supporters for the ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday, July 15, for the Adams Indoor Tennis Complex at Old Fort Park. (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli)

MTSU Athletics Director Chris Massaro speaks Wednesday, July 15, during the dedication of the Adams Indoor Tennis Complex at Old Fort Park. (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli)

Visitors tour the upper level of the new Adams Tennis Complex at Old Fort Park at a June 30 open house to get a good view of the indoor courts. The facility, which formally opened July 15, will be home to the Blue Raider tennis program. (Photo courtesy of Jim Davis, Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation)