A year of actual work and over two years of behind-the-scenes efforts on improving the Henryetta tennis courts will be recognized.
The Oklahoma branch of the United States Tennis Association has selected the Henryetta Tennis Association for the 2016 State of Oklahoma Outstanding Community Tennis Association Award.
That award will be presented at a banquet Feb. 4, 2017 at the Jim Thorpe Association and Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City.
The Dr. Carlton Smith Tennis Courts on west Main have received a complete new look from the playing surface to the fencing and spectator area.
Actual work started two years ago following a fundraising effort by the association. That resulted in some $250,000 raised, mostly through private donations.
Currently nearing completing is a 48 by 24 foot covered pavilion. Construction crews have been working on the roof for the past several weeks and it is expected to be completed by the middle of November.
The tennis courts are named in honor of Dr. Carlton Smith who helped set up the youth tennis program over 50 years ago. This past summer nearly 100 children from grade school age through high school have been learning the sport.