It is a problem facing tennis players across Great Falls. A lack of courts to play on. Right now, the city has half the number of courts it had 30 years ago. That is because many of the courts are in such bad shape, they have been shut down.

Right now, tennis plays say there are only six usable tennis courts in Great Falls and that is limiting the number of players and programs. They say if this trend continues, we could see more courts close down.

Jim McCarvel, a tennis enthusiast in Great Falls says, "It's kind of a chicken and egg thing, without the good tennis courts, it's very difficult to convince people to play."

The tennis courts in Great Falls are in dire need of a major facelift. Harsh Montana weather and a lack of maintenance has taken its toll on local courts. And that's causing a racket among local tennis enthusiasts.
The courts are falling apart, surfaces are peeling away and there are more cracks than you could ever count.

Some players are worried that it is becoming a safety issue. Ben Rangel, the President Elect of the Tennis Association says, "Players are out concentrating, focusing on their game, experience a crack or uneven surface, can lead to some type of injury."

To avoid any injuries, the players now turning to the city for help. They say if the city gives them $150,000 they will match that. They say they will use the cash to resurface the eight courts by CMR High School and reconstruct four courts by Riverside Park, that are currently unusable.

They say fixing the courts would help bring tennis tournaments to Great Falls. McCarvel explains, "When you have a tournament, generally there's about four people for every player that comes to town that has to have a motel, eat in restaurants, and generally spend money in the community." Which could be a win-win for both tennis lovers, and the city.

Local tennis players will now go out into the community to try and raise that $150,000 in hopes that the city will match that. Their goal is to have the money and start the reconstruction by next summer.