The proposed partnership between Berry College and the local community could result in the development of a championship-caliber tennis facility near Mount Berry Square Mall.
College administrators had a meeting with government officials, leaders of the Rome tennis community and the Greater Rome Convention and Visitors Bureau to discuss details of the proposed complex, which would be constructed on a 23-acre tract of the college’s river farm property.
Berry has engaged its planning consultants to develop a conceptual layout for the proposed facility. Initial design options feature 49 outer courts configured around a central core of six championship courts with 360 seats.
According to Berry president Stephen R. Briggs, college officials are considering various options for the property. The tennis facility is potentially attractive for a number of reasons.
Potential benefits for Greater Rome, thanks to the tennis court would include economic development, increased tourism and visibility, higher-caliber tournaments, and a first-class facility for use by recreational players. Potential benefits for Berry include increased opportunities for students participating in our work experience program and increased visibility for the college and its athletics program.
Lisa Smith, executive director of the Greater Rome Convention and Visitors Bureau, said that the economic impact of such a facility could be as much as $20 million annually. Smith also added that the proposed facility could make Greater Rome a major tennis destination for players throughout the Southeast.
Under the proposal, Berry would commit land to local governments through a long-term agreement, but would retain ownership. In addition, the college would help operate and manage the facility through its student work program, thereby providing valuable experiences for business and sports-related majors while defraying operational costs for the Rome-Floyd Parks and Recreation Authority, which would have oversight of the complex.
