New Optimist tennis courts dedicated for current, future generations of Lapeer athletes

It's official. The Lapeer East and Lapeer West tennis teams finally have a home court and beautiful ones at that.

On Thursday, April 23rd, under a clear, blue sky Superintendent Debbie Thompson and Lapeer Optimist Club President Andy Shango officially dedicated the new 8-court facility next to Lapeer West High School.

The new courts, which were first used this girls' tennis season, brought an end to four years of nomadic playing for the two teams after the old courts were condemned.

Made possible by a $280,000 gift of the Lapeer Optimist Club, the courts were constructed early in the fall of 2008.

Thursday's ceremony included remarks by Board of Education member Gary Oyster; Superintendent Debbie Thompson; Lapeer Optimist Club President Andy Shango; Lapeer West tennis coach Sue Pittsley and two of her players, Casey Spooner and Jessica Delange; and Lapeer East tennis coach Oscar Rodriguez and three of his players, Ashley Crump, Victoria Snoblen and Janine Widzinski.

For the first time in years, and due to the new courts, both teams had enough people try out to field both varsity and junior varsity squads.

"It's true, build it and they will come," said Mr. Gary Oyster.

Following the ceremony the two teams faced off on the new courts for their first match on the new home courts. Lapeer West won the first ever meeting on the new courts.

The Lapeer Optimist Club has funded a number of major recreation projects for the schools and for the community in the past. Recent Optimist projects include about $435,000 in work on the soccer fields near Lapeer East, including a recent expansion of the fields, which now include a concession stand, restrooms, a playground and a lighted varsity field.

The Optimists also donated about $130,000 to school playground equipment and additional donations that helped with city recreation projects, many of them dating back many years.

Lapeer West girls' tennis team serves up a winner on new home court

The Lapeer West High School girls’ tennis team served up a winner for the opening high school competition on the new Lapeer Optimist Community Tennis Courts.

It has been five years since either Lapeer East or Lapeer West High Schools have had a home court to play on. But the Lapeer West match against Waterford-Mott on Thursday, March 26, opened an exciting new era for Lapeer tennis.

(In this photo, coaches for Lapeer East and Waterford Mott begin the introductions of players)

“We are very appreciative of the work and donation of the Lapeer Optimist Club that has made this day possible,” said West tennis coach Sue Pittsley. “The community has eaten a lot of chicken to make this day possible.”

The chicken comment was a reference to the annual Optimist chicken barbecue at Lapeer Days.

An official, public dedication ceremony is planned for 4 p.m., April 23, at the tennis courts next to Lapeer West High School, 170 Millville Road when East meets West in a league tennis match. Rain date for the dedication is 4 p.m., April 24.

Tennis recruitment at both schools has improved with the construction of the new courts and both schools now have full varsity and junior varsity programs for the first time in memory.

Lapeer East gets hosts its first home match on Wednesday, April 1, against Goodrich.

On a cool, but beautiful, sun-filled day, the varsity tennis team won 8-0. A game box score is available at The Flint Journal.

More pictures of the historic day are on the District’s photo site.

Here are links to the East and West tennis schedules.