Aces All Around: Ozark Celebrates Newly-Refinished Tennis Courts

On Tuesday, April 22, community members, students, staff, tennis players, coaches and local leaders gathered to celebrate a milestone for Ozark High School athletics, particularly the tennis program, with the official ribbon cutting of the newly-refinished tennis courts. A project made possible through funds from the $19 million bond approved by voters in April of 2022. 

“We’re so grateful that our students now have a facility where they can play and compete at any time,” Superintendent Dr. Lori Wilson said . “Since 2022, we’ve been able to finish projects around the district that not only improve athletics but also give more students the chance to get involved. This is just one more example of what we can do together.” 

Held ahead of a match against Nixa and senior night celebrations for OHS’s boys tennis team, the event highlighted more than just a physical improvement. It underscored the strength of community partnerships that made this renovation possible.

“Strong partnerships are so important,” School Board President Amber Bryant said, “and when we all work together — parents, staff, students, and neighbors — we can create something truly great.”

The 2022 bond provided funding for the construction of three storm shelters across the district and an indoor activities building at the high school. All of those projects were completed on time and under budget in the fall of 2024. With approximately $5 million remaining, designated specifically for brick-and-mortar projects, the Ozark Board of Education identified refinishing the tennis courts, as well as a number of other projects around the district, as a top priority. This is the first of the new phase of bond-funded projects to be completed.

“This is an exciting moment as we celebrate a much-needed and long-anticipated upgrade to this facility,” said OHS Athletic Director Yancey Little. “This is a great facility, and I hope our kids are proud to play on it, and our community is proud to play on it too.”

In addition to being resurfaced, three of the tennis courts were lined for pickleball. All courts are open to the public after school hours, or when the courts are not being used by OHS tennis teams. 

Other upcoming projects funded by the remaining bond money include roof repairs at OHS, updating the baseball and softball fields, adding an accessible playground at Tiger Paw Early Childhood Center, replacing chillers in two buildings, installing a video scoreboard at the stadium, and upgrading lighting in the high school auditorium.

At the April 17 Board of Education meeting, the board approved bids for three of those projects — the Tiger Paw playground, the high school roof, and the Tiger Stadium digital video board.

Keep up to date with these projects and learn more about the 2022 bond at ozarktigers.org/bond.