This is the single biggest thing that has happened to both the men’s and women’s programs in a few decades. – Utah men’s coach Roeland Brateanu
SALT LAKE CITY — Utah tennis is in the midst of a grand slam of sorts. The men’s and women’s programs are about to have a single home for indoor and outdoor matches and practices.
Renovation and expansion of the George S. Eccles Tennis Center on Guardsman Way is nearly complete.
“This is the single biggest thing that has happened to both the men’s and women’s programs in a few decades,” said Utah men’s coach Roeland Brateanu. “What this means is for the first time in about 20 years we really have our own home that we can practice at and play at, and really get a nice little home-court advantage.”
The $2.5 million project, which was privately funded and led by major donations by the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation and the Lawrence T. and Janet D. Dee Foundation, is highlighted by the construction of six outdoor courts adjacent to the existing indoor facility.
The new courts are surfaced with Plexipave Acrylic, which is used at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in California and at the Australian Open. The complex also includes covered chair-back seating for 388 spectators, restrooms and storage space.
The indoor courts, meanwhile, are being resurfaced and getting new LED lighting.
Brateanu calls it a “complete upgrade.”
Utah athletics director Dr. Chris Hill noted that it’s been long overdue and that the program is thrilled to have it.
“What it means to the tennis program is we’ve got a complete complex now with the George S. Eccles Tennis Center,” he said. “It’s the whole deal inside and out.”
Hill added that it’s “fantastic for recruiting, fantastic for practice and great for our fans.”
In the past, Utah’s outdoor matches were played off-campus at places like the Canyon Racquet Club, Liberty Park and Coach Mike’s Tennis Academy.
Utah women’s coach Mat Iandolo noted that the Utes have had a great indoor facility for years. However, outdoor matches were essentially moved to a neutral site — creating a fairly large competitive disadvantage.
The situation became even more challenging when the Utes joined the Pac-12 in 2011. Conference rules mandate that matches be played outdoors when the temperature is 50 degrees or warmer and wind speeds are less than 20 miles per hour for at least two of the four hours when a match is scheduled.
Even though matches can be played indoors upon mutual agreement, Iandolo explained that since a lion’s share of the Pac-12 programs are outdoor-oriented teams and they push to go outside in the spring — forcing the Utes to set things up elsewhere in the valley.
“Now with a brand new outdoor facility right next to our indoor the worry about that goes out the window,” said Iandolo, who noted all the logistics involved with playing and practicing off-campus. “It really gives us the home-court advantage we deserve but indoors and outdoors.”
The bottom line, Iandolo continued, is “you can’t overestimate its significance.”
Hill agrees.
“Between the indoor and outdoor we think it’s one of the best in the country,” he said. “Having the two as one center is great.”
Hill, Iandolo and Brateanu are confident it’ll increase Utah’s competitiveness in the ultra-competitive Pac-12.
“Absolutely,” Brateanu said. “It’s going to help us get better.”
Having better access to practice courts and gaining a home-court advantage are clear benefits.
“Right now, we’re going to have the nicest combination of indoor and outdoor facilities in the conference,” Brateanu said. “So it’s going to help us recruiting.”
In Pac-12 play last season, the Utah women went 4-6 and the men had a 1-7 record.
The Utes’ newly revamped home officially opens July 1 for court rentals to the general public. Electronic scoreboards will be installed in the coming weeks.
“It’s super nice. It’s not the biggest facility in the country but it’s perfect for where we’re at,” Brateanu said. “It’s just a nice, comfortable environment for our fans and a great playing environment where everybody is engaged.
“It’s going to be the nicest place to play at in the state of Utah,” he added.
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