USTA Florida Celebrates $120,600 Court Renovation at Fort Walton Beach Tennis Center

FORT WALTON BEACH, FLA., APRIL 11, 2026 — More than 100 community members gathered at the City of Fort Walton Beach Tennis Center on April 11 to celebrate the completion of a $120,600 court renovation, funded by USTA Florida as part of its ongoing commitment to investing in public tennis infrastructure across the state. 

Attendees had the opportunity to play on the newly renovated courts, participate in tennis activities and enjoy matches during the event and was open to those who registered prior to the date. 

The renovations, completed at the USTA Florida-managed facility, included resurfacing of seven tennis courts, new material and surfacing of three hitting walls, installation of new net posts, and four pickleball courts. 

The investment reflects one of USTA Florida’s Big Bold Moves, to invest in best-in-class facilities to ensure communities have access to quality courts and programming.  

“Investing in Public Tennis Centers is critical to keep Florida communities healthy and thriving. The residents of Fort Walton Beach, including the broader military and veteran communities, deserve to play on best-in-class courts at an affordable cost,” USTA Florida Executive Director, Laura Bowen said. “This renovation is just one example of how we partner with municipalities across the state to make tennis available and accessible for ALL.” 

The City of Fort Walton Beach Tennis Center also holds a unique position in the community, serving not only local residents but also military families stationed at nearby Eglin Air Force Base and Hurlburt Field. The facility has previously offered free classes to military personnel and their families, furthering its mission of making tennis accessible to those who serve. 

“We are thrilled to have welcomed so many community members and families to the City of Fort Walton Beach Tennis Center. This event was a tremendous success in getting people out on the resurfaced courts to enjoy Tennis and Pickleball together,” said Kara Borromeo, Director of Tennis at the City of Fort Walton Beach Tennis Center. “With these newly renovated courts and facility upgrades, we’re ready to welcome even more players and continue growing racquet sports in the Florida Panhandle.” 

These upgrades reinforce the center’s role as a premier public destination for racquet sports in Northwest Florida. For more information about the City of Fort Walton Beach Tennis Center, visit fwbtenniscenter.com. 

To see more photos and videos, click here. 

# # #  

About USTA Florida: Established in 1949, USTA Florida is a not-for-profit section of the United States Tennis Association and the official governing body of tennis in Florida. With over 60 staff members operating from its executive office in Orlando and more than 700 volunteers throughout the state, USTA Florida is driving the future of the sport through three Big Bold Moves: investing in best-in-class public facilities and providers, leveraging data and insights to fuel smarter growth, and empowering volunteer leaders at every level. Together, these efforts advance the organization’s mission to promote and develop tennis for all in Florida. To learn more, visit www.USTAFlorida.com. 

For more information, contact: Jaret Kappelman, Marketing & Communications Coordinator, USTA Florida: communications@ustaflorida.com.