(STURGIS) – Sturgis Public Schools has received money to do some specialized work.

Sturgis Superintendent Dr. Art Ebert says they have been awarded a $34,000 grant from the United States Tennis Association. The grant funds will help defray the cost of resurfacing the Augspurger Tennis Courts, which is a 12 court facility located in Sturgis and owned by the school district. In addition to serving as the home courts for the Sturgis High School tennis teams, the courts serve as a community hub of tennis programming and also host regional events.

The grant is part of the U.S. Open Legacy Initiative, which was created in celebration of Coco Gauff’s 2023 U.S. Open women’s singles title. As part of the initiative, the USTA has pledged $3 million to refurbish tennis courts across the country.

Ebert says tennis has been enjoyed by both youth and adults in Sturgis for generations. The support of the U.S. Open Legacy Initiative alongside support from the Sturgis Area Community Foundation’s Augspurger Fund, will keep that tradition going by fully funding the $76,700 resurfacing project at the Augspurger Tennis Courts.

Ebert says these 12 courts, in addition to the six new courts being built at Sturgis Middle School and the four courts at the Doyle Community Center, will give Sturgis 22 public tennis courts. These 22 courts will expand tennis programming opportunities throughout the community.

Ebert says they anticipate being able to offer more tennis lessons, drills, and tournaments; which will expand tennis participation locally and bring people from the surrounding region to Sturgis.

The project will be completed this summer.