Following a complete renovation of the George Caristianos Tennis Facility at Kimery Park, a grand re-opening is scheduled for 10 a.m. to noon on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2019.
The renovation included resurfacing of all seven tennis courts and installation of new nets. Stripes were also added for six pickleball courts on the back three tennis courts, and portable pickleball nets were purchased.
The Kimery Park tennis facility is the home of the Hot Springs Trojans and Lady Trojans Tennis programs, and City Manager Bill Burrough thanked the Hot Springs School District for making this project possible at the Hot Springs Board of Director’s meeting on July 16.
“We are very excited about the grand re-opening of the tennis courts at Kimery Park, and appreciative of the partnership with Dr. Stephanie Nehus and the Hot Springs School District,” said Burrough. “We’ve been able to completely resurface all seven of the courts, and there haven’t been more than four courts at that facility since I’ve worked for the City over the past 17 years.”
A new sign at the entrance to the courts explains the history of the facility, which “was dedicated in honor of George Caristianos on June 15, 2007, for his never ending love and service to the game of tennis.” He played for more than 80 years and coached for 34, won many tournaments and was inducted into the Arkansas Tennis Hall of Fame in 2007.
According to Adam Ussery, sport recreation manager for the City, prep work for the project began June 2, 2019, and the contractor was CBE Tennis, Inc., of Little Rock. For more information about the grand re-opening or about the tennis facility at Kimery Park, contact Ussery at aussery@cityhs.net or 501-651-7740.