Bella Vista tennis program growing

Susie Simmons was part of a foursome enjoying a little shade on the back courts of the Kingsdale Tennis Center on Friday.
Susie Simmons was part of a foursome enjoying a little shade on the back courts of the Kingsdale Tennis Center on Friday.

— The tennis program is growing, recreation director Joan Glubczynski told the Joint Advisory Committee on Recreation. Two courts are being resurfaced and work on the practice wall is planned. A pickleball court may also be added at the Kingsdale Tennis Center.

The pickleball court is really just a matter of lining the half court in front of the practice wall. The lines, Glubczynski said, don’t cost very much money and it will give the pickleball players another option. But unlike the pickleball courts at Metfield, the one at Kingsdale will come with a fee. Pickleball players will need to pay the same daily use fee as tennis players.

Pickleball, a game similar to tennis, is easy to play and very popular, she said. It’s played on a smaller court with a wood paddle and a plastic ball.

At the Tennis Center, facility supervisor Koven Childress said the program is growing as word gets around the tennis community that everyone can play at Bella Vista. Non-property owners just pay a higher fee. Some regular tennis players drive in from Rogers and Bentonville, she said.

All the courts will be busy this summer, with three sessions of summer camps, besides the adult play. Kids from 6 to 18 can participate in a summer camp on June 18-21; July 9-12 or July 30-August 2.

Camp begins at 10 a.m. each day with on-court drills. Lunch is provided and then there are more drills on the court until about 2 p.m. when kids get the option of moving over to the swimming pool or staying in the tennis center for match pay. The camps are run by tennis professionals with USPTA experience.

For more information about tennis camps, call 479-855-8174.