Atkins Tennis Center
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The Atkins Tennis Center, constructed at a cost of $5.3 million, is located on the University of Illinois' south campus, just east of the baseball and track facilities. The 58,000-square-foot (5,400 m2) building houses 6 indoor courts, a pro-shop, men's and women's team locker rooms, separate public locker rooms, and offices for the Fighting Illini tennis coaches. Eight outdoor courts are located west of the building.
The Atkins Tennis Center was made possible by a $2.5 million donation from Clint and Susie Atkins of Champaign in 1987. Clint Atkins is a real-estate investor and co-founder of the Plastic Container Corporation of Champaign. Felmley-Dickerson General Contractors of Champaign oversaw the tennis facility project. Ken Nelson of Unteed, Nelson, Slack, Anderson Ltd. was the architect and C.P. Atkins, Clint's father, designed the steelwork for the building.
The Atkins Tennis Center was officially dedicated on November 2, 1991, the date of the Atkins' wedding anniversary. The completion of the Tennis Center marked the beginning of a new era for tennis on the University of Illinois campus and in the community.
Voted 'Most Outstanding Facility in the U.S.' in 1992 by the USTA.
Home to Illinois Fighting Illini men's tennis.
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[edit] Services to community
The Atkins Tennis Center provides a number of services to the Urbana and Champaign communities as well as University of Illinois students and staff. Programs include junior and adult clinics, men's and women's leagues, and group and private instruction. In addition, Atkins has a Pro Shop which carries many tennis related items.
[edit] New Outdoor Tennis Courts
In March 2009, a new set of 12 outdoor courts were opened for public and team use. Some people believe there was little need for these courts because the tennis center already had outdoor courts. Some people view the outdoor courts as slanted, and the seating capacity, while suitable for Men's and Women's tennis matches, are not large enough for the NCAA Championships. There has been criticism that the project, an idea of manager Jim Tressler, squandered thousands of dollars of university funds. The 12 new courts are not yet lighted. **The courts are lighted now, I was just there last night and it was bright as daylight. In fact, all the lights were on but no one was out there, the tournament was indoors, rather wasteful...** The outdoor courts are also used for the 16-team Champaign Centennial High School tennis tournament hosted every year in late August.
[edit] Current Atkins staff
Jim Tressler, Delilah Lewis, Judy Okraj, Lelia Cehajic, Alex Voss, Sujay Kumar, Alex Chew, Stefan Budic, Andy Conrad, Jeremy Beach, Shaun Petterson, Robert Reynolds, Brad Stein, Evan Dorner, Spencer Skadden, Chelsea Beeler, Brian Zehr, Amelia Schmidt, Zainab Saqib, Uros Marjanovic, Annatjie Els, Phyillis Mcpherron, Giles Austin, Lindsey Hallett, Kevin Stayart, Libby Knight, Rakesh Gadde, Mack Madonick, Jimmy Peters, Mat Mathis, Micheal Powers, Taylor Spaeth
[edit] Court time
Both the indoor and outdoor courts at the Atkins Tennis Center are open for public use. Also, players must wear a non-marking, hard rubber sole shoe. Running shoes aren't allowed.
During the fall and spring semesters the University of Illinois men's and women's tennis teams have all courts reserved from 1:30 - 5:30 pm and one court from 6:00 am - 10:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Any court not needed by the teams for the following day may be reserved after 6:00 pm. If the teams are using outdoor courts, indoor courts may be reserved on the understanding that the teams may practice indoors should it rain.
Also, men's and women's matches or visiting team practices may override normally scheduled activities. All participants affected by conflicts will be given as much advance notice as possible and will not be billed for that time.
[edit] Source
(1)http://fightingillini.cstv.com/facilities/AtkinsTennisCenter.html
