Luther College to redo its tennis courts

(Left to right): Luther Facilities Services Director Jay Uthoff, Vice President for Finance and Administration Eric Runestad, Vice President for Development Jim Jermier, Regent Jeffrey Anderson, President Paula Carlson, Associate Athletic Director Alex Smith and Athletic Director Renae Hartl

Luther College will be renovating its outdoor tennis courts this summer.

The college's 12 courts will be resurfaced using a state-of-the-art method resulting in a more durable, stable and consistent playing surface. Work is scheduled to be completed by the end of August.  The renovation project will cost $1 million, with the money coming entirely from a gift from an anonymous alumni couple.

Luther men's and women's head tennis coach Adam Strand is eager for the players to start taking advantage of the improved courts: "Luther tennis will now have one of the premier outdoor venues in our area, and we are excited for our student-athletes to have the opportunity to practice and compete in such an outstanding facility," he said.  According to Strand, Luther tennis team members and community players who use the courts will all benefit from the improved surface because bad bounces from cracks and dead spots will be eliminated.

The resurfacing is done using post-tensioning, which involves encasing sheathed cables in a concrete slab, then stressing and locking the cables after the concrete has set. The courts will be stronger and last longer than the previous asphalt surface. The new post-tension surface resists cracking caused by the temperature fluctuations, rain and snow of northeast Iowa's four seasons. The surface also offers a more controlled slope for better drainage, which keeps water from pooling. Lack of cracking and draining problems means maintenance costs will be lower overall.

The renovation also includes new windscreens, fencing, nets and a new storage shed. Tennis fans will benefit too as lower fence height in some areas will increase viewing for spectators.

A camera has been set up above the rear deck on Dahl Centennial Union on the Luther campus, so alumni, friends and others interested can follow the project's progress no matter where they live. The valley-cam feed is available at www.luther.edu/valley-cam.