Batavia parks officials pleased with Memorial Park work

Worried tennis players can relax. Batavia’s Memorial Park will continue to have tennis courts.

Batavia Park District Planning and Development Director Jim Eby said he has gotten phone calls from people asking, “What are you doing with my tennis courts?” since a park renovation project began Aug. 1.

The district is replacing the courts. The asphalt courts will have to cure for a few weeks before they can be colored and striped, he told the park board Tuesday. He expects that might take until sometime in September.

The district has already repaved the perimeter path at the park and put in a new sidewalk. It is also installing new field and courts lights.

“We are really smokin’ on this one,” Eby said of the pace of construction.

This is the first phase of the renovation. Next year, the district plans to replace fencing and lengthen the adult softball field.

The park is on Illinois Avenue between Jefferson Street and Republic Road. The 13-acre site was owned by the Batavia school district from 1947 to 1974; Batavia High School used to play football games there.