Eight tennis courts in the City of Knoxville's West Hills Park will be closed beginning Monday, September 15, for a renovation project to upgrade the courts, lighting and fencing.

The project is a joint effort between the city's Parks and Recreation Department and the Greater Knoxville Tennis Association (GKTA).

City Council voted Tuesday to approve a $409,273 contract with Baseline Sports Construction, which submitted the winning bid for renovation of the courts that are used by recreational players, schools and for tournaments.

Parks and Recreation Director Joe Walsh said the work is expected to take about three months to complete. The city will pay $259,273 of the costs while GKTA will provide the remaining $150,000. 
 
"This has been in the works for several years and we're very pleased to work with the Greater Knoxville Tennis Association to make this happen," said Parks and Recreation Director Joe Walsh. "These courts are used by a lot of players and have been in need of renovation for quite a while." 
 
Walsh said this is the first step in what the city hopes will be a series of improvements to the court complex at West Hills. 
 
"This is projected to be the first phase of a multiphase project that will hopefully lead to more courts and possibly a clubhouse with restrooms," he said.