May 5, 2014 – The Amarillo ISD School Board of Trustees recently agreed to begin construction on a project which will demolish the rapidly deteriorating Amarillo High tennis courts for more parking on the land-locked campus. New tennis courts will be built at Bonham for use by both high school and middle school students participating in athletics and physical education.
“The courts at Amarillo High needed to be replaced because they are in really bad shape. The fences are falling and the foundation has made it difficult to keep the surface in playing condition,” Project Manager Janie Archer said. “We originally discussed just replacing the courts at Amarillo High, but when we started really looking at it, we decided the parking would be more valuable on campus.”
Seven tennis courts are currently available at Amarillo High, and the new courts will offer eight which is more conducive to fall tennis play.
“Removing the tennis courts will allow the district to address some drainage issues we currently have on campus,” Amarillo High Principal Mark Webster said. “The new courts will have a stable foundation which will hold a playing surface that does not require constant repair and hold up under the weather conditions in our area.”
The demolition of the Amarillo High tennis courts will begin this spring, with the majority of the work done during the summer months when students are not present. Western Builders and AISD Maintenance will work together on the project.
“We will see an increase in event parking space and improved traffic flow,” Webster said. “Our marching band will have a dedicated space to practice on which will not interfere or compete with the daily traffic flow of the campus.”
The project consists of the following:
- Demolish existing courts at Amarillo High and convert to parking
- Construct eight new tennis courts at Bonham
- Build dressing rooms, coach’s office, trainer’s room and storage at Bonham
- Construct public seating at Bonham
- Landscape improvements at Bonham
- Relocate existing track and athletic stations at Bonham
- Add parking at Bonham
“It will be great for our school and community,” Bonham Principal David Vincent said. “The courts will provide much improvement for the AHS tennis program as well as give Bonham students an opportunity to explore tennis as a sport.”
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