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Upgrades expected for tennis, golf, baseball facilities

New seating, practice, playing spaces among new additions

<p>Layout of proposed tennis facility from the Board of Visitors Buildings and Grounds Committee meeting in April.&nbsp;</p>

Layout of proposed tennis facility from the Board of Visitors Buildings and Grounds Committee meeting in April. 

Several sports facilities are expected to receive multimillion dollar upgrades in the coming years.

A brand new 12-court outdoor tennis facility is going to be constructed at the Boar’s Head Inn — which is owned by the U.Va. Foundation — and is predicted to cost around $12 million, according to Board of Visitors documents.

The new facility will also include locker rooms, meeting rooms and lounges housed in a pavilion.

There will also be a viewing platform from where visitors will be able to watch matches, along with seating for up to 3,500 spectators — more than the 1,000 seats currently available at Snyder Tennis Courts.

Pat Hogan, University executive vice president and chief operating officer and member of the U.Va. Foundation board, has been working on this project, which is being supported by private funds.

“There has been a lot of momentum in the fundraising for the tennis facilities,” Hogan said in an email statement. “This will be one of the best tennis facilities on the East Coast and will be capable of hosting NCAA championships.”

Back in May, men’s tennis coach Brian Boland told The Cavalier Daily that the facility will also help meet the needs of both the University and local community.

The existing Birdwood Golf Course — located adjacent to other facilities at Boar’s Head — is also going to be refurbished entirely due to the impact of the tennis facility’s construction on the course, which is used by the men’s and women’s golf teams.

The construction is expected to eliminate the existing locations of the third and fourth holes on the 18-hole course.

A privately funded redesign will soon be in the works in collaboration with a design firm owned by golfer Davis Love III.

“The golf course has not kept up in terms of modern play, length and challenge.” Hogan said. “We would like multiple tees for all levels of golfers, because this course is of importance not only to Virginia’s golf teams, but to Boar’s Head guests, the University and the community.”

A new indoor golf practice facility is also anticipated for Birdwood in the coming years. BOV documents estimate the privately funded project will cost around $5 million and will include practice space, meeting rooms and offices.

“The specific site for the facility has been identified, however, no work will be done until decisions related to improvements to the golf course are finalized,” an agenda from the June Board of Visitors Buildings and Grounds Committee meeting notes said.

The Athletics Department declined to comment about these upgrades.

The Board of Visitors Buildings and Grounds Committee is expected to discuss an additional athletics facility upgrade at its Dec. 9 meeting — a 40,000 gross square foot expansion of the baseball stadium.

The expansion will include new grandstand seating, restrooms and concession areas, as well as a new entry plaza.

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