The Cincinnati Tennis Foundation announced today that ground has been broken on its new First Serve Tennis and Education Center in Norwood, Ohio. The $10 million project will create a year‑round hub for young athletes and families, featuring five indoor courts, classroom space and a community gathering area.
Facility details and community impact
CEO and founder Matt Dektas described the upcoming center as “five indoor courts, with a big old community hub of classrooms and hangout spaces and areas that families can enjoy.” The facility will bring together the foundation’s existing programs—summer camps, lessons, mentorship and park‑based outreach—under one roof.
Over the past six years the foundation has served roughly 5,000 children across 35 schools, delivering tennis instruction, life‑skill mentorship and adaptive programs for wheelchair users. Programs already operate at Washington Park, Ziegler Park, Sawyer Point and several Norwood‑area schools; the new center will consolidate these efforts and expand capacity.
Parents praise the foundation’s work
Board member and parent Talisha McNealy said the foundation has been “an answered prayer” for her two daughters. She highlighted opportunities the kids have received, including out‑of‑state development camps, tournaments, training with professional players and volunteer work with adaptive tennis programs. “Even after hours on the court, they’ll still ask, ‘Can we stay longer? Can we hit some more?’ That says a lot to me as a parent, because they love tennis. I know CTF has played a big part in cultivating that love,” McNealy added.
Scholarships and accessibility
All of the foundation’s programs operate on an income‑based model, with nearly 90 % of participants receiving scholarships. By offering free or low‑cost access, the organization aims to ensure that financial barriers do not keep children from the benefits of sport and mentorship.
The First Serve Center is slated to open in early 2028, pending construction timelines. When completed, it will serve as a permanent home for the foundation’s growing roster of youth athletes, providing a safe, climate‑controlled environment for training, education and community building.
Looking ahead
Local leaders have expressed support for the project, noting its potential to boost Norwood’s recreational amenities and strengthen family life in the area. The foundation hopes the center will become a model for other nonprofit sports programs seeking to combine athletic development with academic enrichment.
Construction is expected to create short‑term jobs for local contractors, while the long‑term operation of the center will require staff, coaches and volunteers, further contributing to the local economy.
Original reporting: WLWT Cincinnati — read the source article.
