They’re just starting to put plans together for a domed tennis arena of sorts for La Crosse.
But, Jared Flick, in the La Crosse parks and rec. department, says having an indoor facility for tennis is definitely a good idea for the city.
The plans are for 24 total courts, likely at the Forest Hills golf course on Losey Boulevard and Highway 16.
“The demand in La Crosse is high for tennis,” Flick said. “We have a large tennis community that actually travels. But, a mass majority of them will go to Winona and they play on their indoor courts over there.
“When looking at building a tennis facility we just thought of an option of also including indoor courts that could be used by the community year round.”
The city is working on a partnership with UW-La Crosse and Aquinas on the new courts. UW-L is looking to replace its courts and most of the current outdoor courts at Forest Hills are in disrepair.
“Kind of ideal, with partnering with UW-L,” Flick said. “It’s close to campus. It’s centrally located in La Crosse. There’s plenty of space.
“in La Crosse, there really isn’t a whole lot of room for development like this. That was kind of a logical place for us to fit something this size.”
Money hasn’t been requested yet by the parks department yet but Flick expects that amount to be around $1 million. Donations and contributions from UW-La Crosse and Aquinas could make up the rest of the $2.5 million needed for the indoor tennis facility.
Flick also said the courts could have other uses.
“It’ll be a concrete surface with an overlay,” Flick said. “You could play basketball on them. Pickleball. There’s no limit.”