Prince William County residents are thrilled that the United States Tennis Association is building a large regional headquarters and brand-new tennis facility in their area. Building plans were approved by the Prince William Board of County of Supervisors in February, and the project was given a $100,000 Economic Development Opportunity Fund grant at that time. The USTA is expected close on the sale of 44 acres of land for the facility in March, after which construction will begin in earnest. The building of the new facilities will take place in phases, and the full construction is expected to be complete by December 2021.
The construction project is expected to be a great boon for the county’s business community, creating over forty well-paying jobs with an average salary of over $68,000 per year. It will also include retail options as well as other business opportunities. However, it is the fact that the building will serve as a major tourist destination that has many in the community truly excited about the project. The United States Tennis Association intends to host programs, tournaments, recreational activities and special events at the facility and has stated that it expects its events and programs to bring as many as 300,000 tourists to the county on an annual basis. The completed facilities will also host other activities held in partnership with George Mason University’s School of Recreation, The College of Health and Human Services, the Prince William County Parks and Recreation Department, and other entities, providing much-needed services both to county residents and visitors from other cities and states.
Both the location and timing of the construction project are ideal. The new facility will be located next to the Freedom Aquatic & Fitness Center and the Hylton Performing Arts Center, placing it at the hub of an already bustling sports and entertainment district. The Mid-Atlantic Tennis Association, which is spearheading the project, is experiencing a great deal of growth as people of all ages and walks of life show increased interest in joining the association’s 1.1 million tennis players.
Given all that the new USTA regional headquarters and training facility has to offer, the county’s enthusiasm for the project is not surprising. Indeed, there is a lot to look forward to as new facilities are built and subsequently put to good use by not only the United States Tennis Association, but also many other non-profits, educational institutions and business entities that are striving to help children and adults enjoy an active, healthy lifestyle.
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