Grants, fundraiser, hard work keep dream going for Andy Roddick tennis center in Granite Shoals

GRANITE SHOALS— Grants, fundraisers and sheer elbow grease are helping supporters take financing to the next level for the Andy Roddick Foundation International Tennis Center, they say.

"We hope to have it all done within five years," said steering committee member Frank Reilly. "We will build the complex as quickly as we can. There are no requirements on spending."

The burgeoning facility, located near City Hall at North Phillips Ranch Road and RR 1431, has two QuickStart courts, and Olympian Leonel Manzano — who is from Granite Shoals — recently dedicated a hike-and-bike trail named after him.

But there is so much more coming, say proponents. The vision for the facility, named after the retired professional tennis player who lives in the Austin area, always included multiple courts.

Now members of the steering committee say that dream could take a step closer to becoming reality thanks to a fundraiser, Vegas by the River, on Nov. 30 at Lakeside Pavilion, 307 Buena Vista Drive in Marble Falls.

The goal is to raise enough money to build two regulation-sized courts that will eventually become 16 at the complex, said Reilly, the former mayor of Granite Shoals .

The estimated cost of each court is $55,00-$60,000, said Dave Holder, Andy Roddick Youth Tennis Program representative.

The committee hopes 300 people attend the fundraiser, which costs $100 per person.

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Auction items will include a hat Roddick wore during the 2003 U.S. Open, a tennis racket used by former world No. 1 Pete Sampras, a signed tennis racket from current standout Rafael Nadal, a Michael Jordan Chicago Bulls jersey, and a 2-year-old bass boat donated by Sam and Drew Parham.

In addition to the fundraising, officials have also been busy seeking grants.

The city already has been granted a $100,000 Texas Parks and Wildlife Department grant, city officials have said.

Reilly said the city applied for a second grant of $50,000. The Roddick Foundation has agreed to match at least $64,000, he said.

"That would include a contribution for the tennis center," he said. "We want to raise enough funds to make sure the foundation can match the city."

The other courts will be built as funds become available, Reilly said.

Once the tennis complex is complete, which will be open for public use, Reilly said he believes it will be the home of many tennis tournaments that will draw plenty of out-of-area visitors.

"People will be staying in Marble Falls, Burnet, Kingsland," he said.