Audubon and Tulane seeking to partner on renovation of Audubon Tennis Courts

Nearly two years after the Audubon Nature Institute and Tulane University began exploring a partnership to renovate the Audubon Tennis Courts, the two sides are working to hash out a deal that would allow Green Wave tennis teams to train and host tournaments there.

The deal hasn't been finalized, according to officials, but under the proposed partnership, Tulane would fund the renovation so that its tennis players could relocate from City Park to a new facility near campus.  

Audubon would maintain ownership and operation of the facility, which has 10 clay courts and is one of just two public clay court facilities Uptown. 

And while plans are preliminary, Audubon has previously said the deal would involve ripping up the 10 existing clay courts and expanding the facility to accommodate 12 new courts — six with hard courts, six with clay.

Under NCAA regulations, college tournaments can only be played on hard courts.

The proposed renovation also would include the installation of directional lights for tennis at night, improved restroom facilities, an electronic reservation system, and new locker rooms

Officials with the Audubon Institute have touted the project as a win-win that would benefit the community without shifting the cost to taxpayers or users of the courts, which currently cost $14 per hour.

“Partnering with Tulane would be beneficial for our avid tennis players as well as for Tulane tennis,” said Audubon institute Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Kyle Burks. “We believe this type of agreement can serve as a model of how communities and universities can work together.”

Still exploring options

Audubon first floated the idea of renovating its tennis courts in the Audubon Park Master Plan in 2018. Over the next two years, it hosted public meetings to discuss what the tennis community needed and wanted. It also met with  potential partners that might want to help pay for the new facility.

In mid-2021, Audubon began talking seriously with Tulane about paying for the renovation in return for having access to the facility for its men's and women's tennis teams.

Tulane has been in need of new tennis facilities since it lost courts with the construction of Yulman Stadium a decade ago.

In late 2017, Tulane Athletic Director Troy Dannen said one of the school’s priorities for 2018 was to begin working on a new competitive tennis facility.

Audubon, meanwhile, has said its aging clay courts are in need of renovation and are underutilized, especially at night because of inadequate lighting.

Tulane declined to comment on the status of existing negotiations over the deal or how much it might cost, except to say, “we are still exploring options and have no agreement.”

Audubon officials say they continue to negotiate and want to find a way to balance the needs of the local tennis community with those of Tulane student athletes.

"Our primary focus has always been to operate the Audubon tennis facility as a top-notch public amenity and the potential partnership with Tulane was developed with that as our top priority," Burks said. “We believe this type of agreement can serve as a model of how communities and universities can work together."

He said if a deal is finalized, Audubon is committed to having courts available for the public at all times.

Opposition

Some longtime users of the Audubon Tennis Courts are against the partnership.

Not only are they opposed to losing four clay courts Uptown, they're afraid Tulane will effectively take over the facility, limiting access to the general public. 

Clay courts do not get as hot as hard courts. They're also easier on the joints so are often preferred by older players.

“This will reduce public access to clay courts," said Sandy Rosenthal, a community activist, who plays on the Audubon courts five times a week. "It’s a loss to the community.”

Audubon officials say there is no timeline for the project and no immediate plans to move forward.