Name: Peeking into the $27M tennis court renovation at Golden Gate Park
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Peeking into the $27M tennis court renovation at Golden Gate Park

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When I approached the Golden Gate Park tennis courts the other day, I didn’t know what to expect. I hadn’t been for years, but had many (mostly) fond memories of playing there. I had gotten trounced more than a few times in their tournaments and loved hanging out in the decrepit clubhouse. And afternoon games with the drum circle from Hippie Hill playing the background were always a good time. Would those old memories come flooding back?No, it turns out.As I stood atop the steps just off Nancy Pelosi Drive and stared down to where those courts once were, there was not a single reminder they ever existed. Instead, all the courts and the clubhouse have been bulldozed and completely rebuilt as a spanking new $27 million complex now known as the Lisa and Douglas Goldman Tennis Center, which is officially opening Wednesday, March 3.And it is jaw-dropping.The Golden Gate Park courts were fine before. This was your basic municipal tennis complex with a design as simple as can be — just long rows of courts with little distance between them. But, most importantly, there were lots of them – 21 in all. And they were always kept in pretty good condition because this has been the mecca of the San Francisco tennis scene since the 1890s.It isn't just local regulars who used to frequent the courts; they've also been the breeding ground of many top juniors and some of the city’s all-time great players like Mareen "Peanut" Louie, Rosie Casals and Tom Brown. Hence the nickname “the Cradle of Champions.”Which, no doubt, is partly why people felt they deserved such an impressive rebuild and the kind of that you might expect from other Golden Gate Park tenants like the de Young Museum or the California Academy of Sciences. But for a public tennis complex, it’s kind of surprising. In a good way.So I went to take a look. After such a long closure, many tennis folks have been wondering about the progress. While it was all fenced off when I visited, there was plenty to see even from up on a nearby hill.What’s immediately striking is the new clubhouse. For one, it’s huge. At 7,800 square feet, it’s much bigger than the former clubhouse. It has high ceilings, airy, open spaces and runs the length of almost two tennis courts. Plus, the floor-to-ceiling windows offer clear views of the courts. Some of the amenities inside include a reception area, a lounge, a kitchen, an education center and locker rooms for players.Also inviting is a very large, landscaped terrace just outside the clubhouse and right next to the first court. With tables and Adirondack chairs, it’s a versatile-looking spot, perfect for chilling after some tennis, or perhaps holding a splashy fundraiser if that's your thing, or kicking back and waiting for your kid since a big part of this complex’s mission is tied to tennis education.On that note, there will be a single point of entry through the clubhouse which will ensure a high level of safety for players, especially youth.As for the courts, they’re all striped and the nets are up in preparation for the opening, which can’t come soon enough since the pandemicYes, there are only 16 courts now instead of the old 21, but the reasons will make most players happy. For one, they are properly spaced according to United States Tennis Association guidelines. Plus, there are no longer six courts in a row. Playing here and having your ball roll through a bunch of courts — and having to scream "THANK YOU!!" to someone 50 yards away — was never fun.Instead, the courts are broken up into groups of two and three so your ball can only wander so far. And walkways have been built so you can access the courts without having to sprint behind loads of people playing. Moreover, since they’re new, the drainage has been updated and new lights are installed on every court, which means an additionalAll the courts are on the same level — a change from before — except Court 6, which is sunken and has built-in seating for 200. But dozens more spectators will be able to watch the matches from the clubhouse, which is directly adjacent.Oh, and the &nbsp;can cheer as well. There are multiple dedicated courts for them. And they’re all lit.When this project had its groundbreaking almost two years ago, San Francisco Recreation and Park Department&nbsp;chief Phil Ginsburg said he wanted the center to be “one of the best public tennis centers in the country.” That may sound like a lofty goal, but right now it is hard to imagine this complex being anything less.Court reservations for the Goldman Tennis Center can be made

When I approached the Golden Gate Park tennis courts the other day, I didn’t know what to expect. I hadn’t been for years, but had many (mostly) fond memories of playing there. I had gotten trounced more than a few times in their tournaments and loved hanging out in the decrepit clubhouse. And afternoon games with the drum circle from Hippie Hill playing the background were always a good time. Would those old memories come flooding back?No, it turns out.As I stood atop the steps just off Nancy Pelosi Drive and stared down to where those courts once were, there was not a single reminder they...

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David Curran

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Peeking into the $27M tennis court renovation at Golden Gate Park

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