Tennis courts at King Middle in Northwest Bradenton up for $375,000 facelift

BRADENTON -- Two years after voting down plans to sell the tennis court on 5 acres at King Middle School, the Manatee County School Board may decide to pay for a $375,000 overhaul of those courts.

The board will vote Tuesday whether to fund the renovation with money from local taxes for capital improvement projects. The proposed project includes demolishing and replacing eight tennis courts, including posts and nets; resurfacing one practice court; resodding disturbed areas; and patching substandard asphalt pavement.

In 2013, district staff identified the property as potential "surplus," which would allow the district to sell the property. The board voted against labeling the land surplus and against selling the land.

Tennis courts are used by King Middle students, the Manatee High School tennis teams and -- through an interlocal agreement with the county -- the community.

The courts have been in bad shape for years, according to the district.

The district Maintenance Department has been patching the courts and working to keep the site drained prop

erly for several years, according to the school board agenda.

King Middle Principal Michele Romeo said she was glad to hear the courts would be getting a facelift.

"Our (physical education) classes use that area for a lot of different activities" she said.

Since the fields are in disrepair, the areas school use has been limited. Romeo said her physical education staff is already excited the area will be redone and more room will be available.

"It's a great plus for our school and our district," she said. "It's going to be wonderful."

Manatee High School boy's tennis coach Alan Johnson agreed.

"It will be a huge upgrade. The courts are in terrible shape, and I cannot wait for them to be nice again," he said in an email. "Also, because they're located in Northwest Bradenton where a lot of our players live in or near, they can easily play on them and practice with each other there all year."

The King Middle School property sits on private roads at the corner of Ninth Avenue Northwest and 75th Street Northwest.

The full 6.3 acres behind the school was valued at $688,831 in 2012. The school board purchased the property in 2004 when Roger Dearing was superintendent.

If approved, Willis A. Smith Construction of Sarasota will perform the work. Potential completion date is not known.

Meghin Delaney, education reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7081. Follow her on Twitter @MeghinDelaney.

This story was originally published January 7, 2016 at 12:07 AM with the headline "Tennis courts at King Middle in Northwest Bradenton up for $375,000 facelift ."