Curious about opportunities to learn and play tennis in Salina, Kansas? This one’s for you!
We had a nice chat with Clark Renfro, a Salina Tennis Alliance board member and president at Exchange Bank, who played collegiate-level tennis at Kansas State University and has stayed active in the sport to this day.
Clark was kind enough to share some history, culture and opportunities for learning and playing tennis in Salina.
As a Tennis Town, Salina’s Got Game
If you haven’t lived in Salina your whole life, or even if you have, you may not realize just how deep Salina’s tennis roots actually are. Tennis is a big part of our community culture, and in Clark’s estimation, arguably the #1 sport in Salina.
Want proof? Clark shared that since KSHSAA started tracking and reporting the data, a Salina high school tennis team has placed in the top 4 at State in 35 of the last 39 years.
Such enthusiasm for the sport deserves attention and development. While there were tennis courts here and there around town, in various states of repair, Salina didn’t have a single facility worthy of hosting tournaments.
That’s where the Salina Tennis Alliance stepped up to serve.
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Salina Tennis Alliance
The Salina Tennis Alliance (STA) is a group of individuals with a shared passion for strengthening the community through accessible sports initiatives and opportunities.
A few years ago, the STA gathered some generous local businesses, foundations, families, and other private donors, and established a partnership with the City of Salina and the Salina area school district USD305. Together they developed a 12-court state-of-the-art, critical mass, community tennis center in Kenwood Park which was opened in February of 2023.
Available to the public since then, the new tennis facility allows free court access to all. The STA is now able to offer affordable clinics, lessons, open court usage, tournaments, and other opportunities for all ages and levels of tennis play.
Here are just a few of the many benefits this fabulous complex provides for the community:
- The facility meets USTA and KSHSAA standards so Salina can now host tennis tournaments in one single location.
- Through the STA, there are now opportunities for lessons, clinics, programs and leagues for all ages and all skill levels to learn and enjoy the sport.
- With 12 state-of-the-art courts in Kenwood Park, plus additional courts in Jerry Ivey Park, there is always an available public court for anyone who wants to play.
- Through the STA, there are even scholarship opportunities available for those who want to learn the game.
The STA also has tennis pros whom you can hire for private or group lessons. Brian Vancuren, one of the tennis instructors, is also the tennis coach at Kansas Wesleyan University and the director of tennis at STA. Other tennis instructors involved at STA are Alex Sherer and Jack Hanson.
One of the beautiful aspects of the sport of tennis is the fact that you can learn the sport when young, and continue playing throughout your entire life. This is part of the reason why the STA exists – to create and foster lifelong tennis players, who enjoy the many benefits of the sport.
Tennis for Kids
Aside from the obvious physical and mental health benefits of tennis, Clark is a firm believer that tennis builds character and develops values that other sports don’t necessarily offer. As kids get started in tennis, they do their own officiating and score-keeping. This quickly teaches them that integrity is the only way to succeed in the game. They have to learn the rules and call their own lines. The knowledge and sportsmanship required are like a built-in honor system.
In terms of the physical challenges, tennis has evolved quite a bit over the years to become more friendly and accessible for kids. Clark shared that when he was a kid, he learned tennis using the same racket and tennis ball that a pro would use.
To make things easier and more fun, the sport of tennis now includes a graduating system of rackets and tennis balls. These new tools and processes developed by the USTA have made it so that kids can more easily pick up the sport, reducing frustration, smoothing out the learning curve, and increasing the fun factor for newbies.
Tennis for Adults
And who says the kids get to have all the fun? Tennis, like few other sports, is a game you can pick up at any age. Whether you played once upon a time but haven’t picked up a racket in years, or you’re looking for a great way to stay in shape after retirement, tennis is a great option.
It’s also a fantastic way to connect and spend fun time with the whole family. Clark plays tennis with his three daughters, who have been Salina Central 5A state medalists for the past four years. Clark’s mom, a past USTA National Champion, still occasionally joins the family on the court at 87 years young.
But It’s Cold Outside
In case you’re thinking that tennis is strictly a warm weather activity, keep in mind that Salina has indoor tennis options as well.
Genesis Health Club has four indoor tennis courts. They offer a variety of programs and tennis lessons for players of all ages and skill levels. You can join a beginner clinic, hone your skills with a private lesson, stay sharp for league play with a doubles drill, or even get your kids involved through their youth group lessons.
Members of the Salina Country Club can take advantage of indoor courts at The Pines Tennis Park, an indoor tennis facility which was purchased by JRI Hospitality (owners of Salina Country Club) in 2021.
Where to Play
If we’ve inspired you to take a lesson, sign up for a program, or reserve a court, here’s a summary of where you can learn and play tennis in Salina:
Salina Tennis Center – 12 lighted tennis courts and a practice wall, for public use at no cost. The courts have junior progression lines to facilitate early learners. Public restrooms are available. Located at 805 The Midway. Click here to learn more or to book a court.
Jerry Ivey Park – USD305 provides and maintains 4 courts for public use. Located at 2465 Edward Street.
Genesis Health Club – for year-round, indoor tennis play, Genesis Health Club offers programs, private and group coaching, as well as court rental. Pricing is available for members and non-members. Located at 1830 South 9th Street. Click here to learn more about their tennis courts, lessons and programs in Salina.
Salina Country Club & The Pines – members of the Salina Country Club can take advantage of both indoor and outdoor courts. Salina Country Club is located at 2101 East Country Club Road, and The Pines Tennis Club is located at 551 South Holmes Road. Click here to learn more about Salina Country Club’s tennis opportunities.
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