Kimery Park tennis facility set to reopen

Following a complete renovation of the George Caristianos Tennis Facility at Kimery Park, a grand re-opening is scheduled for 10 a.m. to noon today.

The renovation included the resurfacing of all seven tennis courts and installation of new nets. Stripes were also added for six pickleball courts on the back three tennis courts, and portable pickleball nets were purchased. The facility is the home of the Hot Springs Trojans and Lady Trojans Tennis programs.

“We are very excited about the grand re-opening of the tennis courts at Kimery Park, and appreciative of the partnership with Dr. Stephanie Nehus and the Hot Springs School District,” City Manager Bill Burrough said in a release. “We’ve been able to completely resurface all seven of the courts, and there haven’t been more than four courts at that facility since I’ve worked for the city over the past 17 years.”

A new sign at the entrance explains the history of the facility, which was dedicated in honor of George Caristianos on June 15, 2007, “for his never ending love and service to the game of tennis.” He played for over 80 years and coached for

34, won many tournaments and was inducted into the Arkansas Tennis Hall of Fame in 2007.

Adam Ussery, the city’s sport recreation manager, said prep work for the project began June

2 and the contractor was CBE Tennis, Inc., of Little Rock. For more information about the opening or the facility, contact Ussery at aussery@cityhs.net or 501-651-7740.