On behalf of the Norris Board of Education, we extend our sincere gratitude to the United States Tennis Association for their generous donation to the tennis courts and the Titan Activity Complex. We are truly thankful for their investment in the future of the Norris School District. 

The United States Tennis Association (USTA) today announced that it has awarded a $140,000 Tennis Venue Services grant to the Norris School District, while USTA Missouri Valley contributed an additional $12,000. The grants were recognized at last night’s school board meeting. 

The grant funds, which total $152,000, will be used towards the construction of four new tennis courts at Norris High School, which will be completed in the coming weeks. The tennis courts, which will become the first bona fide tennis facility in the consolidated school district comprising a number of small neighboring communities, is part of a larger effort to upgrade the school’s Titan Activities Complex. Currently, Norris High School’s successful girls’ tennis team has to travel outside of the district to practice and compete in matches. In addition to being used by the girls’ tennis team and physical education classes, the new courts will allow for substantial youth and adult tennis programming and other community events. The school district is also evaluating adding a boys’ tennis team in the future. 

The significant funding was made possible by the expansion of the USTA’s Tennis Venue Services grant program this year, earmarking $10 million to support tennis infrastructure in order to meet the increasing demand for tennis courts as tennis participation continues to rise nationwide. The TVS grant program is designed to enhance existing tennis venues and construct new ones in order to provide increased playing opportunities in communities across the country. Since 2005, the USTA has awarded more than $19 million in TVS grants and last year USTA grants impacted more than 500 courts in more than 60 communities. 

“Our partnership with the USTA has been nothing short of exceptional,” said Dr. Mitchell Stine, Norris High School Assistant Principal and Activities Administrator. “We know we are building the courts the right way. We partnered with a nationally renowned organization in the USTA. And with that strong partnership comes the resources and the expertise to build a sustainable facility that will impact thousands of kids. The excitement and anticipation is high from our kids, our coaches, and our community. There is excitement anytime you see additions and upgrades to the place you love so much and call home. We are eager for all of our kids to begin using the complex.” 

“We are committed to supporting the enhancement and construction of tennis facilities in communities across the country,” said Theodore Loehrke, Managing Director, Section Partnerships, USTA. “Investing in the development of tennis facilities nationwide helps support the USTA’s mission of growing tennis to inspire healthier people and communities everywhere.” 

"We are thrilled to help bring tennis to the Firth community and look forward to continued collaboration with the Norris School District as we look to grow tennis throughout the region," said Mary Buschmann, CEO and Executive Director, USTA Missouri Valley. 

In order to ensure that communities have access to safe, appealing, and functional tennis environments, grant recipients also receive start-to-finish project management assistance from the USTA’s Tennis Venue Services team. It provides industry-leading experience in tennis court and facility design, as well as technical assistance, including construction document review and business development insight, to ensure the facilities can deliver t nnis at a high-level.

If you want to help fund the Norris Activity Complex, please visit norris160.org/fund for more information.