Village of Wellington celebrates major investment in public tennis with ribbon-cutting ceremony
WELLINGTON, FLA., MAY 7, 2026 — The Village of Wellington reaffirmed its commitment to public tennis and community recreation with the official unveiling of six new courts at the Wellington Tennis Center, made possible in part by a $200,000 grant from the Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program (FRDAP). The expansion marks one of the most significant investments in public tennis infrastructure in Palm Beach County in recent years, expanding access and play opportunities for residents of all ages and skill levels.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony held on May 7, 2026, brought together Village leaders, USTA Florida representatives, and members of the local tennis community to celebrate the milestone.
Attendees included Wellington Mayor Michael J. Napoleone, Vice Mayor Maria S. Antuña, Councilmembers Amanda Silvestri, Stephen A. Levin, and Johnny Meier, Village Manager Jim Barnes, USTA Florida President and Wellington Tennis Center Director of Tennis Chuck Gill, and WTC Supervisor James Smith.
The expansion adds six new courts to the Wellington Tennis Center, three hard and three clay, better equipping the facility to serve the local tennis community. The new courts open the door to expanded social play during primetime hours, increased availability for lessons, larger capacity for youth and adult programming, and the ability to host even larger tournaments and events.
They will also support specialized hard court training for youth players preparing for surface-specific tournaments or working to make their school teams. Together, the additions reinforce Wellington Tennis Center’s role as a hub for play opportunities for all, welcoming everyone from first-time players to competitive athletes.
“The addition of three clay courts and three new hard courts allow all our residents more play opportunities and makes the Wellington Tennis Center the ideal place for juniors and aspiring champions to train,” Chuck Gill, Director of Tennis said.
The Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program, administered by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, provides competitive grants to local governments for the acquisition or development of public outdoor recreation areas. FRDAP grants are a critical funding source for communities investing in long-term recreational infrastructure, helping municipalities like Wellington bring projects of this scale to life. The $200,000 award reflects both the strength of Wellington’s proposal and the Village’s ongoing commitment to expanding access to recreation.
“This investment is not just in facilities, but in connection, growth, and opportunity for our community. We’re proud to celebrate the addition of six new courts and the possibilities they bring,” Mayor Michael J. Napoleone, Village of Wellington said. “This project would not have been possible without the support of the Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, which helped Wellington see a vision of a greater Tennis future for years to come.”
With the addition of the six new courts, Wellington Tennis Center is positioned to grow its programming and welcome more players into the sport, reinforcing the Village of Wellington’s standing as a destination for tennis in South Florida.
For more information about the Wellington Tennis Center, wellingtonfl.gov/290/Tennis-Center. To learn more about USTA Florida’s Big Bold Moves and public tennis investment across the state, visit ustaflorida.com/big-bold-moves.
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