Mayor Bowser to Commence $18 Million Expansion of Southeast Tennis and Learning Center in Washington, D.C.

Mayor Muriel Bowser is set to ceremonially start the expansion of the Southeast Tennis and Learning Center (SETLC) in an event that will reel in local officials and community members today at 3 pm. The $18 million project is expected to significantly increase the current facility's capacity. The expansion will ramp up the number of tennis courts from 12 to 19 and pickleball courts from one to five. Also on the docket is boosting recreational opportunities and services for the residents of Ward 8, as well as bolstering the city's prowess hosting international junior tennis tournaments.

Established in 2001, the SETLC has been widely recognized as a top-tier venue for local and international sporting events, providing services to more than 75,000 children and youth to date. A particular standout feature is the Williams Arena, a 48,000 square-foot indoor facility christened to honor tennis icons Venus and Serena Williams. Mayor Bowser and other distinguished guests, including Former DC First Lady and SETLC Founder/CEO, Ms. Cora Masters Barry, and Brian Vahaly, USTA President-Elect, will gather at the intersection of Wheeler Road and Valley Avenue SE—easily accessed by public transit—to officially to break ground on the new development, according to a statement from the Mayor's office.

The event, crucial for the community, will also see the participation of key figures like Thenrie Freeman, Director of the DC Department of Parks and Recreation, Delano Hunter, Director of the Department of General Services, and Tara Fitzpatrick-Navarro, CEO of USTA Mid-Atlantic.

Media personnel keen on covering the groundbreaking are being requested to send their RSVP to the provided press contact. Additionally, those unable to attend in person have the option to catch a live broadcast of the event on various platforms including the official mayoral website, DCN Channel 16, and the Mayor's social media channels, ensuring community members have the opportunity to stay informed and virtually participate.