Billings

Elks Tennis Center celebrates grand opening

Posted: Sep 19, 2012 10:50 PM by David Jay

BILLINGS - The Elks Club wants its new tennis center to help Billings become the biggest tennis town in Montana.
The Elks Center celebrated with a grand opening ribbon cutting, Wednesday night.
Part of that involves tournaments that would help bring business to Billings.
As part of making Billings the tennis capitol of Montana...the Elks Tennis Center wants to bring collegiate and US Tennis Association junior tournaments to Billings.
They say four courts at the MSU-Billings tennis bubble along with the Elk's Club would provide eight courts for tournaments.
Construction crews completed the two-million dollar facility in earlier this year...with players using the courts for the first time on March 31st.
The surface is a cushioned, Plexiplave hard court, the same used at the Australian Open.
The center will develop tennis players starting with the USTA's Quick Start program.
The indoor facility will give youth and adult players the chance to play 12-months a year.
"You don't want them to have that break," said Byron Boyd, director of tennis at the Elks Tennis Center. "You want to keep them involved in the sport and with this facility, they can do that, so Billings is very fortunate to have this facility. We're absolutely thrilled. You know we're very excited about tonight, it's a big night for us."
The club is working with the Chamber and a consultant to bring the tournaments to Billings...and hopes to host events from November to March.

Topics: Elks Club, Elks Tennis Center, Billings, Montana