Game, Set, Match: Tennis Courts Ready

Tennis fans inspired by the U.S. Open may want to head to Northland Park, where top-quality new tennis courts have just been unveiled.

"They came out really nice," said Michael Anello, Livingston's Superintendent of Public Works, who helped to oversee the project.  "These were destroyed before."

Anello and members of Livingston's Township Council, along with other township workers and the contractors, opened the four courts on Wednesday.  The courts were repaved over the summer to blue-colored hard courts, similar to the ones featured at the Open. 

In April, the Township Council approved a $197,190 contract to Di Milia Inc. for the tennis court renovation project (the money also included resurfacing the basketball courts at the park).  Money for the project came from a grant from the Essex County Recreation & Open Space Fund, 2009 Local Aid Project.  Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. was at the opening, as was Patricia Sebold, a Livingston resident who serves on the Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

Before work began earlier this summer, the tennis courts were in clear need of repair.  Not only were they worn and covered with cracks and holes, but they had suffered damage in March when during a storm a tree fell on the fence at the tennis courts. 

In contrast, the new courts are even and smooth, and the bright blue color supposedly makes spotting tennis balls easier.   On Wednesday, they were devoid of skid marks, too.   But it's only a short time before players run to make their mark on these courts.