City of Coral Gables officials welcomed a crowd of amateur and professional players, as well as other community members to the reopening of the William H. Kerdyk Biltmore Tennis Center during a ceremony that took place on Friday, Mar. 18, in the center’s patio.
Fred Couceyro, Parks and Recreation director for the city, led with an introduction. He described the tennis clinic with the Biltmore tennis team captains, players and pros that had taken place just before the ceremony. Then, he described what was done to the courts as part of the renovation.
“The courts were stripped down to the asphalt and then resurfaced with four coats of the special coating used by hard court tennis courts,” Couceyro said. “A walkway to the street and corresponding crosswalk was added replacing what had been a dirt path. But, the biggest improvement was the lighting.”
Suzie Valls, a team player with the Biltmore’s A1 team, was very appreciative of the improvements.
“The lights are wonderful. It’s like daylight at 11 p.m.” she said.
She also noted that there were no more cracks and or deep ruts in the courts where puddles could form.
Then, Robert Gomez, Professional Tennis Operations, took the podium and elaborated on the lights and added some information about the courts.
“They are US Open Blue and each part of the court has 50 candles,” he said.
He reported that professional tournaments could be played on those courts. He also introduced professional players with local connections like Andres Pedrozo and Mario Tabares who had been trading shots with the players during the clinic.
After a few words by Coral Gables Mayor Jim Cason everyone moved onto a court for the ribbon cutting.
Representatives from the Kerdyk family were pleased with the event and the progress that the city made.
“My father was an integral part of the center opening in the first place,” said Tracy L. Kerdyk. “We are very proud of what has been done here.”
