Construction started on April 20 at the Lafayette tennis courts. Lafayette’s tennis courts has had the plan to be renovated for about five years, since a 2017 bond issue was set up to have a court renovation schedule for all four Rockwood high schools. Lafayette is the last high school in the district to have its courts renovated.

Director of Facilities in Rockwood, Chris Freund, said Lafayette’s courts have needed renovation, even if they are in good conditions compared to the district’s other tennis courts.

 “Lafayette’s courts were the best out of all the high schools, but their courts were still 30 years old, so the renovation was still necessary,” Freund said. 

Carried out by Byrne & Jones Construction, this project will cost the district about $1.4 million.  It will specifically be focused on tearing down the courts and building new court surfaces, drainage systems and constructing a new fence. Renovations will take place over the spring and summer and the contract is set to end on July 31, 2022.

Because the spring construction is occurring during the boys tennis season, they have had to miss some practices. Instead, practices comprised of various physical activities around Lafayette such as running and ultimate frisbee.

Sophomore Kailey Politte, who is on the girls varsity tennis team, agrees that she is excited for the new courts.

“There will be no more cracks on the courts, no balls flying everywhere, more seating areas, no leaves on the court,” Politte said.