Fireworks scorched and burned through recently repaved tennis and basketball courts at St. Paul’s Eastview Recreation Center on Wednesday, police say.

Crews finished the new paint and paving on Monday morning. The courts now have penny-sized holes across them resulting from fireworks lit during the Fourth of July holiday.

“It happens every year, but this year was worse,” said Johnny Yang, Eastview’s recreation manager. It would cost “thousands of dollars” to repave the court again, he added.

Brandon Kuether, program manager of player and coach development for St. Paul Urban Tennis, said the court’s damage will be exacerbated during the winter, causing them to look “war torn.”

The tennis courts are made up of two layers: a cement and asphalt layer on the bottom, with a layer of paint on top. Holes from the fireworks went through the paint layer, which allows water to seep between the two layers. When it freezes during the winter, the water will expand — causing bubbles and cracks in the court.

Cracks and bubbles impact playability because tennis balls will ricochet off cracks. There are also safety concerns because players may trip over cracks, Kuether said.

Regardless, he said the courts will still be used by the growing tennis community on St. Paul’s East Side.

“It’s just disheartening to see because there was a lot of excitement from staff and kids in our program,” Kuether said. “To finally have [new courts], and then within two days, to have them torn up … was really, really discouraging and really hard to see,” he said.

Residents have used the basketball and tennis courts since Wednesday, Yang said, “but it’s a mess.” He said crews from the city picked up trash from the courts Thursday and Friday mornings.

Yang said they’re unsure if they will repave the courts again. He said they plan to work with the city to prevent future fireworks damage.