After dealing with a web of cracks and faded lines for years, Kiski Area High School tennis players have a home court they can be proud of.
The Kiski Area School District unveiled five restored tennis courts May 8 with a U.S. Open-style blue and green color palette. The courts are open to the public.
“There were cracks everywhere,” said Kody Cessna, a Kiski Area junior. “They’re probably the best in the section for courts now.”
Milling, paving and painting cost about $280,000, according to Superintendent Jason Lohr.
The district rebid the project in August after experiencing sticker shock from a previous round of bids.
Athletic director John Peterman said it has been at least 15 years since the courts got new asphalt. Peterman, who is retiring in June, also has overseen the completion of a new fitness facility and football stadium since joining the district in 2017.
Poor weather prevented crews from painting the courts before the end of the boys and girls tennis seasons, but players got to break them in May 8 with a few friendly matches.
Graduating senior and boys captain Cole Graf cut a small ribbon tied across the main gate. After a ceremonial first hit, the teams played “king of the court,” a popular gauntlet-style tennis game, and ate pizza.
Longtime Kiski Area tennis coach Trent Goerk said he “couldn’t be happier” with how the courts turned out. He credited Peterman and parents of tennis players for advocating for the project, which got underway in September.
“Now we have some of the nicest tennis courts in the WPIALs,” Goerk said.
Upgrading the courts took some sacrifice, especially on the part of the seniors. Nearly all of Kiski Area’s tennis matches were away this year. Burrell High School lent its tennis courts for senior day.
Cessna said the new courts certainly won’t hurt as the team eyes a playoff berth.
“Last year, we lost a lot of seniors so it was more of a rebuilding year,” Cessna said. “Next year will definitely be the push for the playoffs.”
