A message from Williams B. Killingsworth, City Manager

Great news for tennis lovers in Atlantic Beach! Thanks to your valuable input at the recent "Let's Talk Tennis" discussion and the City’s new relationship with the United States Tennis Association, City Hall is committed to fostering a vibrant tennis community.

Key Takeaways from "Let's Talk Tennis":

• USTA Partnership for Growth: We're partnering with the United States Tennis Association (USTA) to assess our facilities, identify programming opportunities, and develop a vision for advancing tennis in our community.
• Open Play Remains Free: For now, the current free, open play largely remains in place.
• Investing in Youth: We're looking forward to offering low-cost summer programs like camps and clinics to ignite a passion for tennis in young players.
• Inclusive Programming for Adults: Affordable adult clinics and social events are on the way to promote inclusivity and accessibility for all skill levels.
• Limited League Play Continues: A limited number of league play slots will still be available, open to everyone.
• Clear Rules are Key: Easy-to-find court rules and regulations will be readily available both online and on-site.
• Grant Funding Opportunities: Together with the USTA, we'll pursue grant funding from them and other resources like the Florida Sports Foundation, for facility improvements and programming.

Looking Forward:

We are excited about the potential for our tennis courts to become bustling community hubs that promote health, unity, and lifelong skills, aligning perfectly with the USTA's mission.

Stay Involved:

• Keep an eye out for upcoming announcements about new programs and initiatives.
• We value your continued input! Share your thoughts and ideas by emailing info@coab.us.

 Immediate Action:

• Based on community input, we're leaving in place the two existing permits (already approved and paid) for league play through May 2025, Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon at Russell Park.
• Additionally, Fletcher High School's tennis teams will be able to practice and play at Russell Park during their upcoming season. Tentatively, the boy’s team is scheduled to practice on three courts (Courts 2-4) from 2:45-4:15 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays from Jan. 13 to April 3; and the girls’ team is scheduled to play six home matches on four courts (Courts 3-6) from 3:30 to about 6 p.m./sunset on the following dates: Tuesday, Feb. 4; Tuesday, Feb. 18; Thursday, Feb. 20; Tuesday, March 4; Tuesday, March 11; and Thursday, March 25.

Future of League Play: 

• Decisions regarding future league play opportunities will be made after the USTA's assessment is complete.
• Together, we're creating a thriving tennis community in Atlantic Beach!