A Community Comes Together to Invest in Tennis

Fort Benton, Montana

Fort Benton has a fresh new place to play tennis – and the transformation is a great example of what can happen when local advocates, community leaders and tennis organizations work together.

The two public tennis courts at Fort Benton City Park recently received a complete resurfacing by Koch’s Courts, giving local students, high school athletes and community players a dramatically improved place to play.

But the project didn’t begin with new paint and fresh lines.

It began with people who cared about tennis in Fort Benton recognizing a need – and deciding to do something about it.

Recognizing the Need

The Fort Benton courts had reached the point where resurfacing was necessary. Numerous cracks throughout the courts that were continuing to grow, and photos submitted with the application documented the deterioration of the old playing surface.

For a small Montana community, maintaining quality public courts is about much more than maintaining a recreational amenity.

These courts support an active school tennis program as well as community play. This program that includes middle school and high school tennis, summer camps, and opportunities for community members to use the courts. Learn more about the summer camp program here.

The Fort Benton High School tennis coaches helped advocate for the courts and worked with community partners to move the project forward.

Building the Partnership

Projects like this rarely happen because of one funding source or one organization.

The City of Fort Benton, local tennis advocates and the school community worked together to identify resources and build a plan for improving the courts. That included pursuing funding through USTA Tennis Venue Services, which provides funding and technical assistance for projects such as court resurfacing, reconstruction and new construction. The project’s grant application identified a resurfacing proposal from Koch’s Courts for the two courts and documented local and outside funding committed toward making the project possible.

USTA Montana also stepped in to help complete the project by assisting with the purchase of new tennis nets, ensuring the newly resurfaced courts had equipment to match their improved playing surface.

From Worn Courts to a Fresh Start

The difference is easy to see.

Koch’s Courts resurfaced the facility, repairing cracks and applying a new acrylic playing surface and fresh tennis lines. The result is a clean, inviting facility ready to serve Fort Benton’s players for years to come.

And importantly, these aren’t courts built for just one team or one season.

They are community courts — supporting school tennis, junior development, recreational players and opportunities to introduce new people to the game.

Local Advocacy Makes a Difference

Fort Benton’s story demonstrates why local tennis advocacy matters.

A coach recognizing a problem can start a conversation. A city willing to invest can turn that conversation into a project. Grants and tennis organizations can help fill funding and resource gaps. A qualified court contractor can turn the plan into reality.

Each partner brings something different – and together, they create a place to play.

USTA Montana is grateful to the Fort Benton tennis coaches, the City of Fort Benton, Koch’s Courts, USTA Tennis Venue Services, and everyone who helped advocate for and invest in this project.

The result is more than two beautiful tennis courts and we are excited about what a restored facility means to the community.

It’s an investment in Fort Benton’s students, players and community – and another example of Montana communities working together to protect and grow tennis.