Erin Blasinski
Editor-in-Chief
Construction crews were seen on campus last week
as work began to build the new tennis complex at the site of the old physical
plant.
Constructing new tennis courts for the Milligan College campus has been on the
drawing board for five years, according to Milligan President Don Jeans. The new
tennis complex is part of the $30 million Milligan College Campaign for
Christian Leadership, the capital campaign project that will eventually include
a new campus center and theater for the college.
According to Todd Norris, vice president for institutional advancement, the
timing of building the new courts is in conjunction with plans for a new theater
and campus center. Jeanes said that locating the new courts at the old site of
the physical plant is one of the long-range goals for improving the Milligan
campus.
"Though we are not ready to build the campus center at this time, the current
courts are in poor condition," Jeanes said.
He said that repairing the current courts would be a waste of money because they
will have to be moved anyway when the campus center construction begins.
The new tennis complex will have six courts with professional lighting, stands
for spectators and a field house with locker rooms and storage.
"[The facility] will allow us to host all home events on campus concurrent with
the men's team," said Marvin Glover, women's tennis coach.
The courts and stands will be the first completed phase of the project with the
field house being constructed at a later time.
"At this time, we chose not to construct a [field house] building," said Jeanes.
"The construction of this facility will occur whenever there is adequate
funding."
According to Jeanes, a bid was competitively made for the construction project.
He would not provide the estimated final cost of the project but said the
project cost will exceed $500,000.
Norris said that at the current time, $140,000 has been raised for the new
complex.
"We will move forward with faith that people will support the project," Norris
said.
Raising money from alumni and friends of the college has been the main source
for funding the project.
"The initiative for the fund raising came from a local alumnus, Tom Jones,"
Jeanes said. "He along with Coach Glover and Coach Aubrey wanted to hold a
tennis tournament to raise money."
Jeanes said that the idea was expanded and the decision was made to name the new
courts after Dr. W.T. Mathes, alum of Milligan College, a local physician and a
nationally ranked amateur tennis player.
The first Milligan/Mathes Marathon Tournament was held last fall and "was quite
successful" according to Jeanes. The tennis teams plans to host another
tournament in the fall of 2004.
"The tournament has been very crucial with fundraising," said Norris. "It has
helped focus fundraising efforts in context with the tournament."
The contract for the construction of the tennis courts calls for the date of
completion to be Nov. 2, 2004.
Norris said the new tennis courts and complex will benefit the campus for a long
time because the final project will be a first class facility.
"The new complex should be a nice recruiting aid, plus it affords the Milligan
community a top notch facility for recreation and teaching," Glover said.