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Bedford’s going to have the advantage in the Canadian tennis scene this spring when the Atlantic Tennis Centre opens its state-of-the-art facility to grow and develop the sport at all levels.

Jack Graham, chair of the board for the Atlantic Tennis Centre — as well as the only Canadian board member of the International Tennis Federation — says HRM’s new tennis facility is “long overdue.”

While Halifax has seen plenty of new gymnasiums, fields and rinks to accommodate sports like basketball, soccer and hockey, Graham says most local tennis facilities have barely been upgraded in half a century. The Halifax Common’s tennis courts were recently resurfaced, but it was the first time they were improved since the 1960s.

“We couldn’t even host a regional junior tournament in Halifax right now,” says Graham. “We’re in dire need of this new facility.”

The Atlantic Tennis Centre is currently operating out of a temporary six-court dome structure on Verdi Drive in Bedford Commons, next to the Canadian Tire.

The new facility will have 18 courts — six outdoor courts, and 12 covered courts for year-round play — and is scheduled to open in May.

While the Atlantic Tennis Centre’s new facility is under construction, Graham says the priority is growing the centre’s membership and introducing more people to indoor tennis.

“Tennis is one of the greatest lifelong sports. You can start playing at five years old and play well into your eighties,” says Graham. “There are competitions — locally and globally — for players up to age 85.”

Graham says tennis is also one of the healthiest sports because it’s a full-body, no-contact sport that’s great for your cardiovascular health and hones your focus and concentration. It requires very little equipment — just a racket and three balls — and it’s a sport you can learn as a child or pick up later in life.

Nineteen-year-old Bianca Andreescu from Mississauga, Ont. just became the highest-ranked Canadian tennis player in WTA (Women's Tennis Association) tour history, and Graham says her success is inspiring other Canadians to take a closer look at the world of doubles, aces and break points.

“Even people who don’t follow tennis know who Bianca is. Canadian tennis has some of the most exciting players in the world, which is really driving interest,” says Graham. “Tennis is a year-round sport that’s growing significantly, and the demand for an indoor tennis facility has never been greater.”

The Nova Scotia Regional Tennis Development Association is the not-for-profit board championing the project, in conjunction with Tennis Nova Scotia and Tennis Canada.

The facility will cost about $10.8M and they’ve already secured $1.2M in funding through their capital campaign. Graham says they’re relying on community support as well as corporate donations in addition to the funding from municipal, provincial and federal levels of government.

Tennis Canada currently has two national training centres in Montreal and Toronto, and two regional training centres in Vancouver and Calgary. The new Halifax facility will become the third regional training centre in the country, staffed by Tennis Canada coaches.

“The will be a one-of-a-kind tennis facility in Canada, and the largest one east of Montreal,” says Graham.

But while most indoor tennis facilities in Montreal and beyond are privately owned, Graham says this one will be a community-funded public facility in order to keep participation costs as low as possible. He compares the new tennis facility to other publicly-funded sports infrastructures designed for everyone to enjoy, like the Canada Games Centre and Centennial Pool.

“We believe this is important infrastructure for our city and our province,” says Graham. “It’s going to be making tennis accessible to people in underserved areas who may not otherwise get a chance to play.”

He says the Atlantic Tennis Centre’s goal is to be a local hub for tennis development and grow the sport by providing opportunities for players of all levels to learn, play, socialize and compete. The facility will be equipped to host tournaments of all levels — eventually even professional-level tournaments — and train everyone from entry-level players through top-performance athletes.

“This is really going to change the game for local tennis,” says Graham. “We’re excited for people to come out, see what’s happening and hopefully consider joining the Atlantic Tennis Centre.”