High school tennis courts open for public use twice a week

 

By Bethany Tennis

 

Albert Lea tennis coach Neil Chalmers, along with volunteers and assistant coaches, have organized three hours of community tennis each week throughout the summer months.

The community is invited to play tennis from 6:30 to 8 p.m. every Monday and Wednesday at the courts next to Albert Lea High School. The courts are open for anyone of any skill level and age.

Chalmers has some goals in mind for the summer. He wants to get all eight courts filled up every Monday and Wednesday night. Another goal is to create more interest in the tennis program for community youth, because there is not a strong youth tennis program in Albert Lea, he said.

Chalmers has been happy to see all of his upcoming eighth-graders, a few current members and some alumni of the Albert Lea tennis team out on the courts.

Albert Lea tennis alumni Andrew Huertas has been active on some nights at the courts. Huertas said it’s a great way to go hit around with friends, and also an opportunity to meet new people who you didn’t know played tennis.

“I absolutely love it, I think that it’s a really great idea to have set days to go play tennis,” Huertas said.

Chalmers wants the community nights to become a way to get people excited about playing tennis.

“Hopefully as a community we can come together and play,” he said. 

The high school supplies the balls and the ball machine. No signup is required.