Indoor tennis facility planned for Saint John
Author: UNB Newsroom
Posted on Jun 16, 2022
Category: UNB Saint John
The Fundy Tennis Association (FTA) signed a letter of intent with the University of New Brunswick to partner on the development of an indoor tennis centre to be located on UNB’s Saint John campus.
The eight-court indoor facility, the largest in New Brunswick, will make tennis a year-round sport in the Fundy region.
With support from Tennis New Brunswick and Tennis Canada, the Fundy Region Tennis Centre will be a not-for-profit organization fully owned and operated by the FTA. The centre will be open to all with a “No Child Refused” policy, ensuring children from low-income households can play tennis.
“The future of tennis, both professionally and recreationally, looks brighter than ever,” says Dana Brown, FTA chairperson and president of Tennis New Brunswick. “Having an indoor facility in the Fundy region will mean people from all over southern New Brunswick – no matter age, gender, skill level or financial ability –can have fun and stay physically and mentally active 12 months of the year.”
The permanent fixed structure is planned to be located near the G. Forbes Elliot Athletics Centre on UNB’s Saint John campus. The tennis centre will be easily accessible by car and public transit.
“UNB is thrilled to be part of such an inclusive community project that strives to create an affordable, accessible and family-friendly environment,” says Dr. Petra Hauf, vice-president Saint John at UNB. “The benefits of tennis have long been recognized and the new centre will not only appeal to players from the community but will also attract new students and families to our area.”
The province of New Brunswick has the lowest number of indoor tennis courts per capita in Canada - one per 125,000 people - yet there has been significant growth in tennis in the last five years.
“Tournament play has increased annually by close to 10 per cent since 2017 and junior participation at most clubs has increased by close to 50 per cent,” says Mark Thibault, executive director of Tennis New Brunswick.
The new Fundy Region Tennis Centre will ensure the continued growth of the sport in New Brunswick.
About the Fundy Tennis Association
The FTA, a not-for-profit organization, was established in March 2016 to develop an inclusive, indoor tennis facility in the Fundy region that is affordable and accessible. The FTA’s board of directors and many volunteers are dedicated to providing a welcoming and safe place for competitive and recreational tennis while offering social interaction, healthy competition and the teaching of positive values. Please visit fundytennis.ca for more information.
About University of New Brunswick
The University of New Brunswick (UNB) is Canada's oldest English-language university, and New Brunswick’s only national comprehensive university. Founded in 1785, the multi-campus institution has a rich history as well as a dynamic focus on innovation, experiential learning and entrepreneurship. UNB has more than 9,500 students from nearly 75 countries while several thousand more take UNB courses online and at partner institutions around the world. Please visit unb.ca for more information.
Media contacts:
Dana Brown, Fundy Tennis Association
Kathleen McLaughlin, Communications Officer, UNB