Postponed by Hurricane Michael, the Fort Walton Beach community is again scheduled to celebrate the reopening of its flagship tennis center while assisting other tennis communities in the Florida Panhandle.
On Dec. 1, 2018, the Fort Walton Beach Tennis Center will celebrate with a Grand Re-Opening Festival where youth, adults and entire families will be treated to a free lunch and a fun-filled day of free activities.
USTA Florida is also organizing efforts to assist Panhandle tennis facilities to rebuild or repair after Hurricane Michael at ustaflhurricanerelief.funraise.org, where 100 percent of donations go directly to help facilities that provide a safe place for kids, families and friends to come together as a community.
To donate on-site, please inquire at the check-in desk.
From 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. families will enjoy lunch, a free doubles exhibition, on-court activities and play, off-court activities for kids, and free tennis play after 3 p.m. Personnel and families from local military bases will also be in attendance, kicking off a new military discount at the center where players with a valid U.S. military I.D. will have their court fees waved any time they play, and will receive 20 percent off programs and classes at the Fort Walton Beach Tennis Center.
Schedule of Events:
11:30 a.m. — Check-in and Off-court activities begin
11:45 a.m. — Free lunch service begins
12-12:45 p.m. — Professional Doubles Exhibition
12-3 p.m. — On-court activities and play
3:00 p.m. — Festival ends but free-play court time available
Community members can check out all of the ways to play tennis, improve your game, play as a family and meet new friends. Also on display for play will be four newly-renovated pickleball courts.
“The City of Fort Walton Beach is extremely excited about the future of the Fort Walton Beach Tennis Center,” says Jeff Peters, recreation director for the City of Fort Walton Beach. “The partnership with USTA Florida is something that we’ve been working on and are proud and anxious to have their presence in our city. The tennis community is in for a big treat!”
For more facility info go to www.FWBTennisCenter.com.
To donate to tennis facilities damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Michael go to https://ustaflhurricanerelief.funraise.org.
To register for the free Grand Re-Opening event on Dec. 1 go to www.eventbrite.com/e/free-fort-walton-beach-tennis-center-grand-re-opening-festival-tickets-45436515842.
