Rochester Outdoor Tennis Center Receives $200,000 USTA Grant for Court Reconstruction

The City of Rochester has received a $200,000 Tennis Venue Services grant from the United States Tennis Association (USTA) to support the reconstruction of six courts at the Rochester Outdoor Tennis Center in Kutzky Park. 

The project includes reconstructing courts 9-14, replacing fencing and installing new court surfaces, net posts and nets. Once complete, the Rochester Outdoor Tennis Center will have 14 championship-level courts for recreational play, lessons, leagues and tournaments. 

Construction is underway, with demolition complete and base layers installed. Asphalt paving is the next step, while fencing, court color coatings, net posts and nets are expected to be completed in the spring. 

"This facility has been an important part of Rochester's tennis community for generations, and we want to make sure it continues to serve players well into the future," said Parks & Recreation Recreation and Sports Facilities Division Head Ben Boldt. “The USTA grant is a big part of making that happen, along with the support we've received from the community."

The Rochester Outdoor Tennis Center, located at 400 16th Ave. NW, dates back to 1928, when it was established by the Mayo brothers. The City of Rochester took ownership of the tennis center in 1966. Over time, the facility's condition deteriorated, creating a need for significant renovations. In 2019, the front eight courts were completely renovated, thanks in large part to the efforts of the Raise the Net campaign. Additional improvements followed in 2023, with renovations to the clubhouse entrances and restrooms to improve accessibility. 

The $200,000 grant builds on years of community fundraising through the Raise the Net campaign and investments by Rochester Parks & Recreation. The current project will complete the reconstruction of the facility's remaining six courts. 

The USTA's Tennis Venue Services grant program supports the improvement and construction of tennis facilities nationwide to expand playing opportunities. Since 2005, the program has awarded more than $34 million in grants, including more than $16 million in 2025 to support nearly 300 projects impacting more than 2,500 courts. 

"We are committed to supporting the enhancement and construction of tennis facilities in communities across the country," said Theodore Loehrke, managing director of section partnerships for the USTA. "Investing in the development of tennis facilities nationwide helps support the USTA's mission of growing tennis to inspire healthier people and communities everywhere." 

Grant recipients also receive project management and technical assistance from the USTA's Tennis Venue Services team, including guidance on facility design and construction. 

About the USTA 

The USTA is the national governing body for the sport of tennis in the U.S. and the leader in promoting and developing the growth of tennis at every level -- from local communities to the highest level of the professional game. A not-for-profit organization, it invests 100 percent of its proceeds in growing the game. It owns and operates the US Open, one of the highest-attended annual sporting events in the world, along with approximately 100 Pro Circuit events throughout the U.S., and selects the teams for Davis Cup, Billie Jean King Cup, and the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The USTA’s philanthropic entity, the USTA Foundation, provides grants and scholarships in addition to supporting tennis and education programs nationwide to benefit under-resourced youth through the National Junior Tennis & Learning (NJTL) network. For more information about the USTA, go to USTA.com or follow the official accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter (X) and TikTok.