In collaboration with the Kansas City Parks and Recreation Department, the United States Tennis Association Missouri Valley has become operating manager of the Plaza Tennis Center for the duration of 2024.
The not-for-profit USTA Missouri Valley—which is headquartered just south of the Plaza Tennis Center in Prairie Village, Kansas—finalized the agreement with the KC Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners in March 2024.
Mary Buschmann, USTA Missouri Valley CEO and executive director, said she and her team have begun identifying and implementing necessary upgrades to the nearly 100-year-old facility that sits on parkland.
“The USTA Missouri Valley is right here in their backyard, and it made sense for the section to step up and make sure we can preserve everything,” Buschmann said. “The history of the facility is so deep. We just couldn’t let that go. The city came through and offered to resurface the courts. From that we can set a great base and can put plans in motion to upgrade it further.”
New programming efforts at Plaza Tennis Center are also being added to the schedule, in addition to local, high school and college tournaments, league play and community events.
All 14 Plaza Tennis Center courts are being resurfaced, which began in late April and will occur in three phases. Additionally, new lighting, landscaping and cosmetic updates are planned as Plaza Tennis Center improvements to better position the historic facility for sustained success. The Plaza Tennis Center’s history is steep, as the facility was constructed in 1928 and originally featured clay courts. The clubhouse was added in 1995.
Tennis participation has seen growth for four consecutive years. Tennis has been shown to have a significant positive impact on the health of participants. According to multiple sources and studies, tennis players on average lived an additional 9.7 years than sedentary individuals.
More information can be found on the Plaza Tennis Center website. Questions or inquiries pertaining to the Plaza Tennis Center can be directed to [email protected].
