Macon-Bibb County will officially open the new John Drew Smith Tennis Center with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, January 14, at 12:00 p.m. Then, beginning Friday, the Center and other courts around the county will host the Boys and Girls 12’s Southern Winter Level 1 Tournament. 

“We wanted to create a more professional and friendly place for people to play, to host education programs and individual lessons, to host major tournaments, and to bring the tennis community closer together,” says Carl Hodge, Tennis Manager for Macon-Bibb County’s Recreation Department. “We want families to do more than just drive in to see an individual match; we want them to spend time with us and support the amazing professionals that play here.”

This $1.2 million construction and improvement project, funded by the voter-approved Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST), began in March 2015. It included new locker rooms and restrooms, a second story observation deck, a new professional check in area for players, resurfacing of all courts, four new courts just for children under the age of 8, changing all bulbs and lens on the court lights, new sod, a concession area, conference room and meeting space, an office for the Macon Tennis Association, and more.

“Tennis is such an economic driver for our region that we’re excited to have a new Center by which we can attract larger tournaments and new players to the sport,” says Recreation Director Reggie Moore. “Thanks to the SPLOST, we can celebrate the new Center, new courts at Tattnall Square Park, and the courts that will be built at the new center in the southern part of the county.”

“We have great support from the tennis and business community in Macon-Bibb County, including the associations, the local schools, and businesses like Carrabba’s, Hunt Brothers Pizza on Forest Hill Road, Chik-fil-A on Tom Hill Sr. Boulevard, and Buffalo Wild Wings,” adds Hodge. He says the partners always come through to help the players, whether it’s opening up courts, volunteering at tournaments, providing food, or helping raise money for specific projects.