$6M tennis complex unveiled at Rosa Scott
MADISON — A new $6 million 12-court tennis center that serves all four Madison County School District zones officially opened Tuesday adjacent to Rosa Scott School.
Superintendent Ted Poore spoke at the ribbon-cutting on Tuesday afternoon.
“This is for you,” He said. “This is all for the students. You really are our special guests.”
About 104 students are involved in tennis.
The tennis courts are the first belonging to Madison County Schools and are available for practice and play for Falcon, Jaguar, Maverick, and Titan student-athletes, he said.
“We look forward to many successful matches ahead for the Jaguars, Mavericks, Titans, and Falcons,” the district said in a statement.
The new facility includes 12 lighted tennis courts, a concession area, restrooms, and changing rooms.
Ken McCoy, who Poore identified as a cheerleader for the new tennis complex on the Madison County School board, said he has been happy to watch the district and the tennis program grow.
McCoy said he went to the old Madison Ridgeland High School, where he played tennis. At the time, there was one court for the school to use in Madison.
“It is a privilege to have courts of our own,” McCoy said.
The Madison County Schools Tennis Complex is located at 928 Poore’s Pass in Madison and is right next to Rosa Scott School.
The project was completed in less than a year. The tennis center broke ground last December under the supervision of former Superintendent Charlotte Seals.
Wier Boerner Allin Architecture designed the tennis complex, and Probity Contracting Group constructed the facility.
During the ceremony, McCoy said tennis may be the district’s most successful sport. Madison Central alone has claimed 11 state titles, including most recently for the 2023-2024 school year. The Jags tennis team has won the last five in a row and seven of the last eight state championships. The Ridgeland High School Tennis team won the state championship for the 2005-2006 School Year.
“You have earned this facility,” McCoy told the students present.
The district has 51 students playing tennis in the Jag Zone, 35 in the Maverick Zone, and 18 in the Titan Zone.
District officials pointed out that the Maverick Tennis team at Germantown High School is growing. Poore said though Velma Jackson High school does not currently have a team, they hope to start one “in the near future.”
Tennis is a spring sport for the Mississippi High School Activities Association. Next semester, the tennis complex will see its first season of competitive play.