Community

WPHS/Oglebay Park Tennis Courts Nearly Complete

WHEELING - The new tennis courts for Wheeling Park High School on Wheeling Park Commission property are nearly ready for "game," "set" and "match" play.

Hardcourt surfaces have now replaced clay surfaces on the courts, and they have been painted a bright blue and green colors.

Workers from Vasco could be seen completing last minute projects on the courts, which are located just a long serve across from the Sonneborn Shelter and down the road from WPHS.

"They are still painting lines and doing loose ends," said Rick Jones, assistant superintendent for Ohio County Schools.

He said school officials were expected to do a walk through on Friday with Vasco.

"We are going to tell them if we have any more requests, or if there are any more things that need to be fixed. If all goes well, they should be finished within a week."

In total, six courts have been resurfaced. The three closest to the road and entrance will be designated as pickleball courts, with each court being divided into pickleball courts each for a total of six.

The three courts nearer to the pavilion will be strictly for tennis.

Ohio County Schools announced in August the school district would pay nearly $650,000 to resurface tennis courts owned by the Wheeling Park Commission. In return, the WPHS tennis team would have access to the courts.

The park commission courts had a Har-Tru sand/clay surface that was thought to be a good thing for seniors with older joints. The courts, however, didn't meet the requirements for high school competition play in West Virginia, Jones has explained.

The park commission's courts also have ample parking and seating to accommodate competition play, and there is a pavilion on the property.

The cost to repair WPHS's own tennis courts had been estimated at $500,000, and there still would not have been seating or any parking near the courts.