Updated spectator seating area completed at Simpson Tennis Center

Jan 31, 2024

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Stairs leading to the upper deck of the new seating area at the Simpson Tennis Center in Gordon Moore Park. The upper level is now open in advance of this weekend's Bud Simpson Open tennis tournament.

The new spectator seating area has been completed at the Simpson Tennis Center at Gordon Moore Park.

The area for the new seating awaits concrete for the floor during recent renovations at the Simpson tennis center at Gordon Moore Park.

ALTON -The Bud Simpson Tennis Center was considered a showcase when it debuted in 1991. That reputation has drawn thousands of players in hundreds of tournaments in the years since. And with all that play, along with years and weather, came expected deterioration.

Local members of the Alton tennis family have done something about that and the Simpson Center is once again sparkling. Rehabbing the seating area was the latest upgrade.

The finished project consists of, new upper flooring, new stairs and railings, all new concrete decorative walls and foundation. Plus, it all received a fresh coat of paint. Total cost for the recent project was approximately $38,000.

Brunaugh Construction completed the work on the spectator seating area project. Boddy Barnhart did the foundation work and the decorative walls. In addition, Barnhart Constuction completed the renovation of Pavillion 2 seating.

"Through the use of PEP Grant money, grant money from the Alton Foundation and communicating with those who were involved with the soccer/concession stand remodel, we were able to renovate the stadium court seating as well as the upper deck," said Kathy Claywell of the project committee.

"The upper deck was in dire need of repair and no one had been permitted to walk up there as it posed a danger. "The only area left to do is the third pavillion."

A series of fundraisers helped raise money for the projects. The original court and seating was built in 1991. Prior to our committee's efforts the courts were last resurfaced in 2006.

"Additional money that we have is a result of our tournaments which have increased in attendance," Claywell said. "We were awarded the USTA Missouri Valley Outstanding Adult Tournament Award as a true testimony of our well-run tournaments."

"The Raise Your Racket fundraiser began in 2017," said Claywell. "We had key sponsors whose donations had been recognized for five years. Banners were made and hung on the courts for those five years. With the money donated, we were able to repair the courts to a playable condition.

"We continued to host the Raise Your Racket fundraiser for two additional years," she said. "The project of resurfacing was led by Bobby Barnhart and Mike Haynes of the city of Alton. Bobby used geotextile fabric in which to repair the courts and his work is exceptional."

Following completion of that resurfacing project, the seating area was next.

The new seating area will be on display this weekend at the 40th annual Bud Simpson Open tennis tournament, which is set to run Friday through Sunday at the Simpson Tennis Center, as well as at Alton High School.

Marquette Catholic High School recently played host to an IHSA boys sectional tennis tournament at the Simpson Center.

"It was fantastic to see the number of people on the stadium court seating area," Claywell said, "and especially on the upper deck. Coaches have an opportunity when there is such a tournament to view their players who are on several courts."