By Gary Curreri
Sun Sentinel Correspondent
Oct 14, 2021 4:38 PM
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The Rick Macci Tennis and Fitness Center received a United States Tennis Association 2021 Outstanding Facility Award. (Palm Beach County Sports Commission/Courtesy)
Two Boca Raton facilities were among four in Palm Beach County and 25 from across the United States Tennis Association that were recently honored with a 2021 Outstanding Facility Award.
The Racquet Center in Boca Raton and the Rick Macci Tennis and Fitness Center at Burt Aaronson South County Regional Park in Boca Raton were both recognized in the category of Public Courts: Large Tennis Center (11 or more courts).
The Racquet Center, previously known as The Swim & Racquet Club, underwent a major renovation that was completed in 2018. Improvements to the facility included an expansion of the existing tennis center, new locker rooms, and bathrooms, a tennis pro shop, meeting rooms, covered seating, increased parking, and more.
The annual award recognizes excellence in the construction and/or renovation of tennis facilities in three categories: public courts, private facilities and educational institutions.
The USTA judged the winning facilities on the following criteria: overall layout and adaptation to the site; excellence of court surface and lights; ease of maintenance; accommodations for players, spectators, and press/officials; aesthetics; graphics, including the use of signs and landscaping; amenities such as casual seating for spectators, food services and social areas; and the facilities’ participation in USTA programs.
The Racquet Center in Boca Raton received a United States Tennis Association 2021 Outstanding Facility Award. (City of Boca Raton/Courtesy)
“On behalf of our tremendous team, I’m humbled and excited to receive this fantastic award,” said Michael J. Kalvort, recreation services director for the city of Boca Raton.
“The Racquet Center brings the community together in a safe and beautiful tennis venue,” he said. “This award is a great testament to the services and facilities the Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District and the city provides while working together for our all citizens. As fall approaches and the heat subsides, I’d like to invite all our Boca athletes to visit the Racquet Center, play a match and get heart healthy.”
Hosting an average of 300 patrons a day, the Racquet Center features 26 Har Tru courts, tennis clinics, junior programs, ball machines, lessons from USPTA pros, 24-hour stringing and night play. Located at 21618 St. Andrews Blvd., the center is managed jointly by the city of Boca Raton and the Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District.
The Rick Macci Tennis and Fitness Center is an award-winning facility that features 19 tennis courts.
Also garnering awards in Palm Beach County were the city of Palm Beach Gardens Tennis and Pickleball Center, and the Delray Beach Tennis Center.
“Great tennis facilities like these help us to grow the game at the grassroots level, and we are proud to recognize them for their ongoing impact on the sport of tennis,” Craig Morris, USTA chief executive of community tennis, said in a statement. “Each of these facilities has embraced many key tennis initiatives and kept the sport at the forefront of their community each year.”
