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Valley Grande has made substantial progress toward building tennis courts in the near future.

At a Dec. 18 city council meeting, councilwoman Kay Davidson said that Elkdale Baptist Church Youth Minister Jonathan Brown and city treasurer/clerk Kim Harris participated in  a Zoom meeting on Dec. 8 to plan beginning steps for the progress.

Davidson said they talked to Tim McCollum of the United States Tennis Association (UTSA) about the process to apply for a tennis court grant. Davidson added that they are also waiting to hear from the Community Tennis Association (CTA) to go through the application process and on where Dallas County stands as a member. 

Davidson said McCollum will have the final stamp of approval on the tennis couts in Valley Grande.  She said the meeting was positive and that she likes Valley Grande’s chances of getting tennis courts.

During the Nov. 20 meeting, Brown, a Valley Grande resident, said the cost would cost over $100,000.   A married father of three, Brown said he’s got the time to help with the tennis courts because he just retired from the National Guard.

Valley Grande Mayor Wayne Labbe said he likes what is being discussed about the tennis courts, but wants to hear early next year.

Dallas County has one of the best AISA tennis programs at Morgan Academy, winners of multiple state championships under head coach Baxter Stinson.