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The Vancouver Tennis Center has reopened for business following extensive renovations carried out over the past five months.

The first of two phases of construction to improve the 43-year-old center was completed earlier this month following a lengthy closure to resurface all nine indoor courts and give them an updated color scheme. In addition, new upward-facing lighting was installed, and the ceiling and steel support beams were painted white to provide superior visual conditions than existed previously.

Also, new carpet and other upgrades were made to offices and other interior spaces, and a closed-circuit live-streaming television system was installed with cameras to pick up action on each court. A coffee bar was installed for players, who also now can arrive and prepare to play using new self-check-in technology.

Plus, the city of Vancouver chipped in $850,000 for the replacement of the building’s roof with a new sheet metal system.

All of these improvements came in the wake of a long-term deal inked earlier this year between the city and the U.S. Tennis Association for the latter to manage and operate the facility in conjunction with the city. The operation and management agreement calls for a 20-year commitment running through 2038, and also required the USTA to invest at least $1.4 million in facility upgrades. The recent work is a result of that agreement.

All of the upgrades were needed, according to Patrick Dreves 鈥� the center’s manager of facility operations and services. But the lighting may be the most noticeable, he said.

鈥淭he lighting prior was big and bulky and it was directed down,鈥� he said. 鈥淚deally, when you look up you don’t want to look into the light, and it’s now way brighter in here.鈥�

In addition to resurfacing, the courts were restriped to accommodate play by both adults and youths.

鈥淲e came in and resurfaced the courts so they are U.S. Open blue and green,鈥� Dreves said. 鈥淲e put in new backdrops, new divider nets, new nets, new net posts. And all of our courts (have) blended lines 鈥� for the little kids.鈥�

Mid Pac Tennis Construction of Portland carried out work involving court resurfacing, nets and posts, backdrops and court dividers. Other contractors involved include Sports Interiors of Chicago, which performed work on the lighting and ceiling liners. Meanwhile, Dickson’s Tennis Services of Seattle was hired to oversee the facility’s pro shop, where racquets, tennis balls and other equipment is sold.

In addition to the Vancouver Tennis Center, the USTA also has taken over operations at the Galbraith Tennis Center in Tacoma, Washington. That facility also recently received a series of improvements; it reopened to the public the same day as its Vancouver counterpart.

The second phase of construction at the Vancouver Tennis Center will be completed in the future, when funding allows. It will involve some $2 million in work, including improvements to the locker rooms and restrooms, expansion of the entryway and main lobby, enhancement of the pro shop and coffee bar, and a remodel of the players’ lounge.

鈥淭hat’s the one piece that makes me a little nervous,鈥� Dreves said in reference to plans for the second phase, 鈥渂ecause you never know what you’ll find with plumbing and electrical. I don’t think anything’s been done before and we had tons of deferred maintenance, so we came in and fixed a lot of those problems.鈥�