By Jerry Curry, Staff Writer
The concrete has been poured for the new tennis courts at Salem High School. The five asphalt surfaces have been replaced with post tension concrete which adds structural integrity to the court. This keeps pressure on the concrete with cables running beneath the surface in order to eliminate cracking, and therefore requires no joints. Superintendent Scott Stevenson of Hellas Construction said, “it may be spring before the courts are ready; the surface must be at a certain temperature to apply the final coatings.”
Presently, Salem is only playing away games due to the current lack of tennis courts. Hank Weedin, athletic director of Salem, said the courts will be blue and gray in color instead of the traditional green which is becoming less popular, and it will have banked surfaces dividing the courts made from turf. The total cost of the project is $881,000.
Photos by Jerry Curry.