$2.4 million renovation was part of city rec upgrades
By KEVIN CHIRI
Slidell news bureau
SLIDELL – The first of three major recreation upgrades for city residents was officially unveiled to the public when Slidell Mayor Greg Cromer hosted the ribbon cutting for the new Henry J. Calamari Tennis Center.
Eight beautiful new tennis courts were opened to the public, which also include a small pavilion, walkways between the different courts, and three shaded areas situated between the different courts, so players now have a place to relax or cool down between matches. Previously, there were no shaded areas anywhere near the former six courts, located on Second Street.
Cromer and the Slidell City Council approved several million dollars of surplus money from two years ago for the tennis courts, and the soon-to-come pickleball courts and skate park.
The pickleball courts and skate park are to be located at Fritchie Park and could be finished sometime later in 2024.
“We listened to the public and this is what we are happy to do for them,” said Cromer at a packed grand opening event.
Much of the day belonged to the Calamari family after Gayle and Henry Calamari helped lead the formation of the Slidell Tennis Association (STA) in 1977 when it cost $1 an hour to play tennis at the Second Street Courts.
The tennis courts were built at a cost of $2.4 million by Cobalt Construction, with design by Kyle Associates.
Cromer called the courts “one of the premier tennis facilities in this area,” which is expected to bring more out-of-town players for tournaments the STA will host there.
The original tennis courts were built in the 1960s, but over the years, the old courts were repaired and resurfaced numerous times, all while the crumbling concrete slabs deteriorated to a point of needing to be completely replaced.
The STA presented Cromer with a certificate of thanks, as well as kind words from Gayle Calamari and Julie Calamari Champagne, who has taught junior tennis camps during the summers and has been teaching those camps for the last 29 years. She has also been the tennis coach for Pope John Paul II High School for the last 29 years, and Pope students have been practicing on the courts for 40 years.
In 1995, Henry Calamari tragically passed away in a boating accident. Former Mayor Sam Caruso and the Slidell City Council voted to rename the tennis courts in his honor and on Sept. 24, 1995, the Sidell Tennis Courts were officially named the Henry J. Calamari Memorial Tennis Center.
The pickleball courts have a final design finished and are about to go out on bid, with construction expected to start Jan. 1.
The city held several public meetings about the skate park, listening to requests and comments from area skaters. That has delayed a little longer the final design for the skate park.