Tennis center debuts tomorrow

The new Longboat Key Public Tennis Center building is open for business.

Temporarily, at least.

Public Works Director Juan Florensa told The Longboat Observer Tuesday that the Planning, Zoning and Building Department has issued a temporary certificate of occupancy for the new building, just in time to host The United States Tennis Association National Senior Clay Courts Tournament December 2.

It’s the fourth time the clay court tournament has been held at the tennis center and the first time it is deemed a national one.

The Longboat Key Town Commission approved a site plan amendment to the Longboat Key Public Tennis Center, 590 Bay Isles Road, last year for a $732,000 project that includes a larger, 1,750-square-foot tennis building/pro shop.

Besides creating retail space, the new building provides a larger check-in space for tennis players, more office space, larger restroom facilities and a tennis observation viewing deck.

The viewing deck, however, will not be available for the tournament because handrails are not installed yet on the deck.

The new building replaces the old 280-square-foot Longboat Key Public Tennis Center office and check-in building, which tennis officials and players say had been too cramped since it was built.

The new tennis center also will host the 10th anniversary of The Longboat Observer Challenge the following week.

Contact Kurt Schultheis at [email protected].