16 New Tennis Courts Coming to Oconee Veterans Park in Watkinsville
Tennis in Oconee County is about to get a huge boost. Thanks to a $500,000 grant from USTA Southern (plus $10,000 from USTA Georgia), Oconee Veterans Park (OVP) is set for a long-awaited expansion that will transform the local tennis scene.
What’s Included
The project will deliver:
- 16 brand-new lighted tennis courts
- Expanded parking lot for more players and spectators
- A new tennis facility building with restrooms and supporting infrastructure
- Resurfacing and relighting of the existing eight courts
When complete, OVP will offer a total of 24 quality courts—making it one of the premier public tennis facilities in Northeast Georgia.
Timeline
According to bid documents, work will begin within 60 days of the official Notice to Proceed and must be completed within 300 days. However, the Clarke Oconee Tennis Association (COTA) has confirmed that construction is set to take place in early 2026.
That means the countdown is officially on: within just a year or so, our community will have access to one of the largest and most well-equipped public tennis centers in the region.
Why It Matters
This expansion is about much more than just courts:
- It’s an investment in lifetime wellness for Oconee residents of all ages.
- It reflects USTA Southern’s confidence in Oconee County Parks & Recreation’s commitment to tennis, as well as COTA’s success in building leagues and tournaments.
- It supports Tall Socks Tennis, the local instruction program that’s been instrumental in growing the sport here.
- It will allow for bigger tournaments, more league play, and greater accessibility for casual players who often struggle to find open courts.
As Robin Stevens, Executive Director of COTA, put it:“A grant of this size, which is among the largest awarded by USTA Southern, reflects confidence in OCPRD’s commitment to tennis, COTA’s success in organizing USTA leagues and tournaments, and Tall Socks Tennis’ high-quality instruction program.”
My Personal Take
On a personal note, this announcement has me especially excited. I played tennis in high school and for several years after, but I’ve fallen off the bandwagon in recent years. With 16 new courts on the way, I can’t wait to lace up my shoes, grab a racquet, and get back out there.
I can already imagine those warm evenings at Veterans Park: families watching from the sidelines, juniors training with coaches, adults battling it out in league matches, and new players picking up the sport for the very first time.
A Big Win for Oconee
This project has been years in the making and is part of Oconee County’s broader master plan for recreation. It shows a real commitment to enhancing quality of life in our community. And thanks to this investment, Oconee residents will enjoy the benefits for decades to come.