USTA Florida, the Florida chapter of the United States Tennis Association, announced that it has entered into a formal agreement with Miami-Dade County to operate the Crandon Park Tennis Center beginning January 16. The business permit allows the organization to restore operating hours and court availability to previous levels and to offer additional public programs and games in the future.
“Crandon Park Tennis Center has long been a cornerstone of Miami’s tennis and recreation community,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. “This partnership with USTA Florida, an organization founded here in Miami, allows us to restore full access to the courts, support local schools and players, and preserve an iconic public space for our residents as we continue to plan for its future.”
“When this project first came to our board, there was never a question of whether we would step in to help. Our organization was born in Miami. Our mission is to grow the game. Everyone on our team knows this is the right thing to do and we are ready to roll up our sleeves and deliver. We are here to meet and exceed those expectations,” said USTA Florida President Chuck Gill.
“We are pleased to partner with Miami-Dade County to provide comprehensive operational services that provide greater access to the tennis courts and programs. The Crandon Tennis Center is an important hub for Florida Tennis. We are committed to welcoming everyone who wants to play at this historic location,” added Laura Bowen, Executive Director of USTA Florida.
Under the one-year business permit, USTA Florida will take over operations of the Crandon Tennis Center on January 16. The nonprofit organization is working with the district and existing service partners to convert existing programs. Court fees and program fees are not expected to change. USTA Florida is also working on a new web presence, scheduled to launch in early January, that will allow players and public organizations to easily book courts and programs in one location. Once on-site in mid-January, USTA Florida will utilize its current team of staff and volunteers to operate the facility directly and conduct a community-based survey of what additional public play options at the tennis center would be most beneficial. The company is currently hiring a full-time site manager and additional on-site team members to fully support this need.
“We know how important this facility and the courts are to the broader community. Local high schools and other constituents depend on them to be available and served. Our team is committed to working with these and other groups to provide our full support and resources to strengthen the services available to county residents in the coming year,” Bowen added.
USTA Florida has appointed an interim management team to operate the site for the first 30 days. Bowen will lead this team directly from Miami, which includes USTA Florida staff and volunteers who have direct ties to the region and bring a wealth of experience in sports, tennis program coordination and facilities management. This team will operate the site for the first few months and engage directly with stakeholders to listen and learn.
“We are pleased to work with USTA Florida to restore access to the tennis facilities at Crandon Park Tennis Center. This collaboration will allow us to ensure these courts remain open and accessible to residents and visitors over the next year as we continue to work on long-term solutions that support tennis, recreation and community use at this iconic park,” said Christina White, director of Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces.
For more information about USTA Florida’s work in public parks, visit ustaflorida.com. To share your opinion about Crandon Tennis Center or to make a court or game request, email crandonpark@ustaflorida.com.