SANTA FE, MAY 31 – Members of the public and media are invited to attend a groundbreaking for new tennis courts at Herb Martinez Park on Thursday, June 9, at 10:00 a.m. Mayor Webber, City Councilors Jamie Cassutt, Amanda Chavez, and Lee Garcia, Parks and Open Space Division Director Melissa McDonald, Parks Project Administrator Scott Overlie, and Ross Chase with Hellas Construction will be in attendance.

The groundbreaking will formally launch and celebrate major tennis court construction projects taking place at Atalaya, Herb Martinez, and Larragoite Parks from June through October 2022. Construction will begin at Herb Martinez after the groundbreaking and then the other courts over the summer. The City of Santa Fe Parks and Open Space Division has contracted with certified tennis court builder Hellas Construction for the project. 

“Santa Fe has a serious tennis culture. We want and expect the best from Hellas Construction for these projects – not just for the serious tennis players, but also for the kids who are picking up tennis for the first time,” said Melissa McDonald, Parks and Open Space Division Director. “I appreciate the community’s patience as we took the steps needed to assess all courts citywide, request proposals from specialty contractors, and get the contracts in place to ensure this project is completed to the highest level and with the best use of taxpayer dollars possible.”

The Parks Division secured $1.3 million dollars of funding through Gross Receipts Tax funds and impact fees for this project. Once completed, the courts are guaranteed to last 20 years and yearly maintenance costs will be minimal.

The tennis courts at Herb Martinez Park have been closed ahead of the groundbreaking to allow Parks staff to reclaim materials such as fencing prior to the demolition and construction next week.