The tennis courts are located at the Dealy Field recreation and sports complex. (Photo courtesy of Sea Isle City Recreation Department)
Don’t expect to see Serena Williams or Rafael Nadal playing on Sea Isle City’s tennis courts this summer.
But the courts at the city’s Dealy Field recreation and sports complex will be filled with ordinary tennis players having fun and staying in good shape.
The four asphalt tennis courts will be in good shape, too. Sea Isle is getting ready to refurbish them this spring to get them ready for the busy summer tennis season.
A contractor will fill in any cracks, patch up the rough or low spots and then resurface the courts. The courts will also be restriped as part of the estimated $39,000 repair job.
City spokeswoman Katherine Custer said it has probably been at least five years since Sea Isle refurbished the courts.
“Maintaining our facilities is very important. That’s why this project is being undertaken,” she said.
The courts are a key part of the city’s summer tennis camps and clinics for children and adults. They are also popular with everyday players from the public, Custer pointed out.
“We have a lot of active tennis players in Sea Isle City,” she said. “Groups, individuals and families use the tennis courts. Sea Isle has a lot of tennis players.”
The Dealy Field recreation complex, on Central Avenue between 59th and 63rd streets, also has four clay-surface tennis courts. Each spring, the clay courts are restored to their usual prime condition in time for the summer tennis season beginning on Memorial Day weekend, Custer said.
The four asphalt courts are the ones getting the repairs for the summer. City Council is expected to authorize the use of money from Sea Isle’s tennis fee trust fund to make the repairs. The Council meeting is being held 9 a.m. Saturday, May 3, as part of Sea Isle’s annual Community Day celebration.
During the summer, Sea Isle charges $12 per hour to play on the asphalt and clay courts in the morning and $10 per hour during the afternoon. Senior citizens are charged a rate of $10 per hour. The courts are free to use in the evening hours.
The courts are so popular during summer that players should make a reservation to guarantee a spot, Custer said.
“The courts are continuously used. We recommend that people make reservations,” she said.
Reservations may be made by calling the Tennis Desk at (609) 263-6163 or the Sea Isle City Recreation Department at (609) 263-0050.
