This past Monday, representatives from UNI, the Cedar Falls Community School District and the Cedar Falls Recreation Services were all on hand at the dedication of the brand new on-campus tennis complex inside Nielsen Fieldhouse.

Built on part of the former site of the Price Lab School on 19th and Campus Street, the tennis complex cost $1.5 million, supported in part by a $500,000 grant from the Black Hawk County Gaming Association.

“This facility will serve the UNI physical education classes, men’s and women’s tennis clubs, the women’s varsity team, Cedar Falls junior varsity and varsity teams, the city summer youth tennis program, Cedar Falls pickle ball club and community wide drop and play,” said UNI Recreation Services Director Chris Denison.

While the new courts’ final touches are being added, many are excited to see what this new facility will bring to campus.

“I’m happy for all of us, but I’m especially happy for all of our students who will have the chance to use this facility, as well as our student athletes,” said UNI Athletic Director David Harris. “They have the opportunity to be able to compete on a championship caliber court for competition and practice.

“Also, with it being here on campus, it gives students the opportunity to support our team, [which] will be critical. It also gives us the ability to be able to host Missouri Valley Conference team tennis championships, and it fulfills our responsibility to our students to give them a first-class facility.”

While the weather may be getting a bit colder, students still have time before the snow falls to play on these new courts.