HALIFAX, December 11, 2018 (Press Release)

In partnership with Tennis Canada and Tennis Nova Scotia, the Nova Scotia Regional Tennis Development Association (NSRTDA) celebrated the upgraded facilities of the Atlantic Tennis Centre (ATC). Now under new ownership, the Centre has undergone some major renovations and has reopened its doors to the public.

Inaugurated in 2013, the Daniel Nestor Tennis Centre became an important part of the community in Bedford, Nova Scotia. At the time, it featured the only indoor clay courts in Atlantic Canada. This was the first step in redefining tennis in the region. Earlier this year, the Centre announced some major changes, including a change in ownership, an update of the current facilities and the plans to transform the ATC into the leading tennis training and programming facility in Eastern Canada. Among the notable upgrades are six fully re-developed and resurfaced Har-Tru clay courts, renovations to the changing room and reception areas.

“Tennis is the sport of a lifetime; it offers young people the chance to make friends, build confidence, learn teamwork and develop skills that they can apply to other aspects of their lives,” said Jack Graham, Chair of the Nova Scotia Regional Tennis Development Board of Directors. “This facility will be a game-changer for this region. With tennis being one of the fastest growing sports in Canada, this is part of Tennis Canada’s strategic plan to bring tennis to any child or adult who wants to play.”

While the current Centre counts six indoor clay courts, the new ATC will house six outdoor, six indoor clay courts under a bubble and six hard courts in an indoor permanent structure. The facility will also create a space for strength and conditioning as well as locker-rooms, administrative offices for Tennis Canada and Tennis Nova Scotia and provide spectators a comfortable viewing area.

“The lack of availability and access to indoor facilities is ones of the biggest impediments to the growth and development of our sport. Interest and participation in tennis is consistently on the rise in Canada and with that in mind, we need to help improve our tennis communities and recreational players’ ability to play tennis year-round,” stated Michael Downey, President and CEO of Tennis Canada. “The Atlantic Tennis Centre will create opportunities, access and training programs for people of all ages and abilities in Atlantic Canada.”

Upon its completion, the ATC will function as a Regional Training Centre, joining the existing group of training facilities in Canada which are designed to support club leaders, coaches and parents to enrich the current training and competitive environment for top performing athletes. Along with the Centres in Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary, the ATC will act as a feeder system for the full-time National Tennis Centre in Montreal.

“Our state-of-the-art Centre will be at the heart of tennis development in Atlantic Canada. It will have the capacity to house national events and tournaments as well as encourage the participation of children and adults alike.” stated Mike Savage, Mayor of the Halifax Regional Municipality. “The new ATC will also operate as a viable community tennis centre with the profits being reinvested into community outreach and the development of the sport.”

The Grand Reopening event notably featured an open house on Sunday, December 9, where people in the region were invited to partake in a morning of tennis activities which was followed by a Tennis Canada Celebrity Match. Newly retired Daniel Nestor (Toronto, ON) and current Davis Cup captain Frank Dancevic (Niagara Falls, ON) joined local celebrities and a few contest winners in a series of celebrity matches. For Nestor, Halifax always had an important place in his life, as he notably lent his name to the tennis centre when it first opened.

“This is an exciting time for tennis in Canada. More and more kids are being exposed to the sport, while our professional athletes continue to lead the way and provide inspiration for younger players,” stated Nestor. “This Centre and its upcoming expansion will provide important opportunities for future generations of tennis players in the region, both at the recreational and high-performance levels. When there are accessible facilities close to home, all kids need are a racquet and some shoes to start playing tennis.”

For more information and to stay up to date on the upcoming changes, please visit the Atlantic Tennis Centre website.