Game, set, match: City to break ground on $27 million tennis center this weekImage via San Francisco Tennis Coalition
Camden Avery
Published on April 16, 2019

The Golden Gate Park Tennis Center, nestled between Hippie Hill and the San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers, has seen better days in its 125 years. But this Wednesday, April 17 at 11 a.m., city partners will break ground on a massive overhaul that's set to bring the facility into the 21st century.

Currently the site of 21 tennis courts and a clubhouse, the facility is in disrepair and needs a litany of upgrades. New court bases and surfaces, better lighting, ADA compliance, an up-to-date clubhouse, and better water drainage top the list, according to the Tennis Coalition.

After three years of planning and design and $27 million funds raised, the project is finally set to move forward this week, with construction projected to wrap up between June and October of 2020.

Poor drainage, half-decent lighting and general disrepair are some of the hurdles plaguing the tennis center. | Photo: Camden Avery/Hoodline

The overhaul will include 17 new tennis courts, improved lighting, a garden and patio for observation, a sunken court with permanent bleacher seating, and a new, 7,800-square-foot clubhouse with locker rooms, kitchen, lounge, education facilities, extended hours, and a pro shop.

Rec & Park spokesperson Tamara Aparton said the old courts, which close this week, would undergo demolition starting as soon as next Monday. Once the facility is back open, it will join the ranks of other city courts available for online reservations.

The agencies backing the rehabilitation of the tennis center include San Francisco Recreation & Park, the Tennis Coalition of San Francisco, and the San Francisco Parks Alliance, which is facilitating the mix of public and private funding.

The net drop and groundbreaking ceremony is slated for Wednesday, April 17 at 11 a.m., and will  include an appearance by tennis great Peanut Louie Harper.