Milan Board Approves High School Tennis Court Repairs

The Milan Area Schools Board of Education approved repairs to the Milan High School tennis courts June 24, moving forward with a project district leaders said is needed before the courts become unplayable.

The board voted 4-2 to approve the $118,080 project, with Thomas Faro, Sara Meray, Andrew Cislo and Gabriel Burdette voting yes. Michelle Heikka and Cassie Prior voted no. Carrie K-Gutierrez was absent.

Superintendent Ryan McMahon said the work is mostly a sinking fund project and would address cracks and uneven areas on the courts, which were added when the high school was built.

“The courts were added when the high school was built, and they’ve just worn over time,” McMahon said. “It’s time that we need to get them fixed.”

The proposal from Pro Track and Tennis includes color coating, crack repair and tennis net post systems for four courts. McMahon said the resurfacing and crack repair portions are expected to be covered by the district’s sinking fund.

The remaining portion, which includes posts, nets and related work, may not be sinking fund eligible and could require up to $20,400 from the general fund. McMahon said that cost could be lower if the district is able to reuse some existing equipment.

The general fund portion became the main point of concern for Heikka and Prior, who both said they understood the need for repairs but were uncomfortable approving additional general fund spending while the district is still waiting for a final state budget.

Heikka said the sinking fund was intended for projects like this, but said the district does not yet know what its state funding will look like for the coming year. Prior said she shared that concern and believed the district should be cautious about general fund spending while other repair needs remain.

Prior also said she has used the courts herself and appreciates that the district makes them available to the community, but did not support using general fund dollars for the project at this time.

Burdette asked whether the courts are open for public use. McMahon said they are.

Meray asked what would happen if repairs were delayed. McMahon said the district may have to stop hosting tennis matches on the courts if they are deemed unplayable.

Milan has four courts, while many schools have eight, meaning matches already take longer than they do at some other districts. McMahon said practice could also be affected because indoor space is already limited when weather forces teams inside, and tennis players need time on outdoor courts.

Faro said he supported the project because he viewed the condition of the courts as a safety concern and said delaying the work could lead to a larger expense later.