At a time in which recreation facilities are being decreased in many municipalities due to funding woes, one community will be dedicating a new recreational benefit for its community — new tennis courts.

This will be the case in South Williamsport, when those new courts will have their official ribbon cutting on Saturday, May 19, beginning at 10 a.m. at South Williamsport’s 88-acre recreation complex in the borough’s east end.

Jamie Flick is one of the members of the South Williamsport Community Park Association, the group that masterminded and helped raise funds for the new tennis courts. He told Webb Weekly, “About five years ago, a few of us got together and decided it would be fun to take on a project to benefit the community. We put out some ‘feelers,’ and the feedback told us that since the borough had been without tennis courts for nearly a decade, it was a worthy endeavor. We asked for volunteers, formed our non-profit group, the South Williamsport Community Park Association, and we were on our way. The 88-acre park complex at the east end of South Williamsport is truly a gem for all county residents, and we decided to add a bit of sparkle to it. Our first fundraiser netted us $150. All we needed was another $285,000! So began a five-year process of fundraising, grant writing, learning, and begging. We met on a weekly basis and never stopped. We gained support from the borough, the school district, the United State Tennis Association, and dozens of other groups.”

He is quick to note that they are not a tennis group, but rather a Community Park Group — and the courts are just the beginning.

“We are extremely excited to show off the five new courts at our ribbon cutting ceremony on May 19,” Kathie Sinibaldi, vice president of the South Williamsport Community Park Association, said. “The Community Park Day will be from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. and includes food trucks, bands, craft vendors, bounce houses, soccer clinics, a home run derby, and much, much more. We will also speak about other enhancements we plan on making at the park. On the horizon are outdoor basketball courts, new pavilions, an ice skating rink, and a host of other improvements. Mike Miller, borough manager, and borough council have been wonderful to partner with as we share a common vision — that being to improve our parks for local residents.”