USTA Approves Grant for Avon Middle School Tennis Courts

The United States Tennis Association will contribute a $36,000 grant to the much needed renovation of the Avon Middle School tennis courts.

“We have $136,000 in hard cash to do the project and the town is going to be contributing in-kind services, which will put the project over the top in terms of having those services included," Avon Town Manager Brandon Robertson announced at Monday's Board of Finance meeting, speaking of combined funding sources.

Avon Community Recreational Neighborhood, Inc. spearheaded the private fundraising-driven campaign to support the project.

The Town Council is scheduled to discuss accepting a $23,500 gift from the organization at its meeting on Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. in the Selectmen's Chamber, Town Hall, Building One. They may vote on doing so Thursday night. That amount comes from fundraising and donations.

Then it passes to the Board of Finance. Once the finance board officially signs off on accepting contributed funds and grants, the town will look for a contractor.

“Come spring time, we’ll put the whole thing out to bid,” Robertson said.

In addition to the $36,000 USTA grant and ACORN's $23,500 donation, other funding sources include $65,000 that the town of Avon and the school board are contributing, $45,000 for in-kind services from the Department of Public Works, a $10,000 grant from the Hoffman Foundation and a $1,500 grant from the Avon Education Foundation.