JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – Rain delayed tennis court resurfacing at Battlefield Park, but play still stops at nightfall.

It’s been a problem for years, costing the tennis program thousands of dollars each year.

“Sad to say we’re going into almost our fourth year without lighting,” said Battlefield Park Head Tennis Pro Venecca Green.

She was disappointed that rain is delaying the resurfacing of the courts, but a bigger issue is the $4,000 – $5,000 the tennis program loses each year because there are no lights on the courts.

“And what that means to our program is we can not have night league play and the league play brings in the adults who bring in the court fees that helps to augment and supplement our programs for our kids,” said Green.

Hundreds of adult night matches have been lost due to a lack of funding for the lighting system from Parks and Recs. The first year, Green was told there was no funding.

The second year, the wrong lights, billboard lights, were installed.

“So we still don’t have lights,” said the Friends of Battlefield Park National Junior Tennis League executive director. “Nor was it hung correctly because there’s wiring coming across the tennis courts, which is very dangerous.”

The tennis pro said Parks and Recs Director Dr. Abram Muhammad hopes the company installing lights at Grove Park will come and assess the problem at Battlefield.

Over 40 children participate in the tennis program at Battlefield Park. Director Muhammad said there will be updated lighting by mid-summer.

Resurfacing will begin when the courts are dry.

Saturday’s “Hit to Be Fit” is rescheduled for May 24 from 10:30 until noon.

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