The Conrad Weiser Tennis Facility was named USTA National Outstanding Educational Tennis Facility of the Year on Monday August, 28 at a special ceremony at the US Open in Flushing Meadows, New York.
Each year, the USTA nationally recognizes facilities throughout the country to encourage increasingly high standards for construction and/or renovation. 2023 award winners will receive a wall plaque and an all-weather sign, which can be mounted at the facility.
“We are very proud of our students, staff, and administrators for creating an environment where tennis has become more than a sport. Those individuals who participate in our program learn not only the game of tennis but valuable lessons in leadership and life that they will carry with them forever. On behalf of our Board of Directors, I want to thank USTA for this recognition. We are honored and humbled” said Dr. Ryan Giffing: Superintendent Conrad Weiser School District
Conrad Weiser Tennis Facility was renovated in 2012-2013 as part of a two-year project. This included the facility and school district receiving a USTA National facility assistance grant for the project thru the school tennis programs and community tennis programs run by the Conrad Weiser Tennis Association. Professional level lighting was added to all 5 courts as well. The facility was resurfaced again in 2021 with its trademark navy blue and light blue court color with USTA 36’ and 60’ lines offering progressive development for red and orange ball play for youth players ages 4-12 for Tennis in PE and after school programs.
In addition to its use for Conrad Weiser tennis programs, Physical Education classes and the Conrad Weiser Tennis Association community programs, CW Tennis facility also hosts each June the Conrad Weiser Hits for Hope Tennis Tournament benefiting a different charity each year as the largest annual tennis tournament in Pennsylvania with 250-300 players each June.
“Our Conrad Weiser Tennis program is humbled to win this National Outstanding Educational Facility Award,” said Conrad Weiser Head Coach and CWTA President Ryan Knarr. Knarr in 2021 was named the USPTA National High School Tennis Coach of the Year.
“Conrad Weiser Tennis Facility has been a place the last 11 years that has inspired a generation of students-athletes and our community to share in the magic and power of tennis. It is a first-class facility that brings together young people to help them reach places they thought they could not go, and achieve dreams they only dared to dream. I want our kids and their families in our community to realize that there is no better place to grow up and also the impact tennis can have to change their lives.”
One of the premier court builders in Pennsylvania for over 50 years, Tom Brenneman and the Brenneman company of Lancaster, PA, has specialized in building tennis courts for high schools, colleges, public & private facilities and has worked closely with many facilities in the region to apply and get approved for USTA national facility assistance. Breneman has worked closely with CWTA President and CW Head Coach Ryan Knarr and Conrad Weiser Director of Facilities and Grounds to renovate the facility in 2012 and again resurface in 2021.
