DAVAO CITY – The Eco-1 Tennis Center Inc. thanked Rep. Paolo Z. Duterte here for helping refurbish their tennis court in this city.
“On behalf of the Eco-1 Tennis Center, we would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the office of Congressman Paolo Duterte for the much-appreciated support. Once again, daghang salamat (thank you very much),” Eco-1 Tennis Center president Alex Bernan said.
Bernan said the center, which has two hard courts and one shell court, has been the venue of significant tennis activities in this since it opened in 1980. He added that various activities lifted the sport from grassroots to the national level competition.
Among the significant activities that Eco-1 Tennis Center brought to national prominence were the Philippine Tennis Academy (PTA), Davao Association of Tennis Clubs Inc. (Datec) Age Group Netfest, Davao City Athletic Association (DCAA) Tennis Tournament, and Davao Association of Tennis Clubs Inc.-Women’s Tennis Federation (Datec-WTF).
Bernan said that over the years, the maintenance of the center relied mainly on membership fees and monthly dues. He bared that the pandemic resulted in low collection which made it difficult to maintain the courts.
“The long wear and tear of the center’s hard courts have taken its toll. The cracked cement and uneven surfaces are visibly affecting the bounce and players’ footing that led to some players’ minor accidents, thus, the need to repair and improve their courts,” Bernan said.
Eco-1 Tennis Center inaugurated its newly refurbished courts on February 9.
The center contracted for the overhaul that started in November a Manila-based contractor specializing in International Tennis Federation (ITF) standard Multi-Layer Acri-Flex Hardcourt, the first ITF-approved court here.
Bernan said materials were ordered abroad between November and January and transported from Manila and arrived here on February 2.
Upon arrival, the restoration of Eco 1 Tennis Center’s Center Court immediately commenced. "Workers from Manila worked day and night due to the sensitivity of the materials used,” Bernan said.