The renovations at Reston’s Glade Tennis Courts, which were initially damaged by a storm in 2018, are nearing completion and expected to wrap up by Labor Day weekend.
Crews are currently installing a French drain — a trench filled with gravel and a perforated pipe that directs water away from an area — at the front entrance to address previous runoff issues, Reston Association Director of Capital Projects Chris Schumaker said in a YouTube video released last Friday (July 26).
“We’ve reconstructed this court from the ground up with new underground irrigation systems, a clay surface, and LED court lighting,” Schumaker said. “We’re excited to announce that we’re several months ahead of schedule and anticipate reopening by Labor Day weekend.”
The courts at 11550 Glade Drive have been closed since March for the extensive renovations, which include the installation of new fences and repairs to the damaged underground irrigation system.
Meanwhile, RA closed its Barton Hill tennis courts (1901 Barton Hill Road) at the end of June in anticipation of renovations that are scheduled to start within the next 30 days, Schumaker said.
“Staff made the decision to close courts at this time as cracking in the courts has led to unsafe conditions for play,” RA said in a newsletter in June. “Neighbors in the area are also asked to avoid using the parking lot immediately adjacent to the courts, as construction crews will be using this area for staging and access to the site.”
The Barton Hill renovation faced delays due to a dispute with Fairfax County over lighting and community concerns about pickleball courts. The RA board scaled back its pickleball plans before voting in January to eliminate them altogether.
The project instead focuses on refurbishing the existing tennis courts, including a new asphalt surface, fencing, nets and color coating. Construction is expected to wrap up by spring 2025.
The tennis court projects are among several capital improvements planned by RA, which completed renovations of Shadowood Pool and Lake Thoreau Pool this year.
