Court Sports for Life Foundation (CS4L) announces that the Steamboat Tennis & Pickleball Center (STPC) has recently been recognized by the United States Tennis Association (USTA) as a “Premier Facility” and by Racquet Sports Industry Magazine as their national “Commercial Facility of the Year.” Court Sports 4 Life operates and maintains the public community facility through a land-lease with the City of Steamboat Springs, with a mission to “enrich the lives of Steamboat Springs, Colorado area residents and visitors of all ages, abilities, and socio-economic groups through pickleball and tennis.” Loretta Conway serves as Executive Director and Bill Conway as Director of Operations.

In November, the USTA designated the Steamboat Tennis & Pickleball Center as a “Premier Facility” in the inaugural year of that program, which recognized only 18 facilities around the country for paving the way on “pickleball/tennis integration.” As one of these 18 providers, STPC will serve as a model and advisor for the USTA, with other USTA member facilities benefiting from the Premier Facilities’ successes and their “lessons learned” in the ongoing effort to embrace both sports in a cooperative, mutually beneficial manner.

Racquet Sports Industry is the only magazine covering the racquet sports industry and their annual Champions of Tennis awards “recognize the many heroes who continue to make a difference for players and fans.” In their 22nd annual awards announced on December 15th, the Steamboat Tennis & Pickleball Center was awarded the prestigious Commercial Facility of the Year with this testimonial:

Powerhouse couple Bill and Loretta Conway have long used tennis to make a difference in the lives of people and communities.…

Under the direction of the Conways, STPC reinvigorated program development, staff training, marketing, public relations and community collaboration. Many program areas have flourished over the years, including school outreach, Colorado SERVES, adaptive tennis and ROGY. In addition, the center runs popular tournaments and fundraising events that bring the community together. Steamboat’s focus now is a $10 million project to renovate the tennis courts and build an indoor pickleball building.

“It all starts with people who truly care about others and the community,” says USTA Colorado Executive Director Fritz Garger. “The center sets the gold standard for quality facilities, quality staff and community engagement.”

According to CS4L Executive Director Loretta Conway, over 7,000 local and visiting players use the Center each year and that number is growing by leaps and bounds. The popularity of both tennis and pickleball prompted the current expansion project, funded entirely by private donations and grants. Phase 1 was mostly completed this year, including rebuilding 6 outdoor tennis courts, moving and resizing 8 outdoor pickleball courts, and preparing the foundation and 12 courts for a new Pickleball Center. Fundraising is ongoing for Phase 2, which includes construction of the energy-efficient Pickleball Center with pro shop, shared community and social spaces, and a multi-purpose mezzanine for viewing and events. Upon completion of Phase 2, the City of Steamboat Springs will lease the entire property to Court Sports 4 Life, removing its maintenance expenses from the City’s budget.

For more information about Court Sports 4 Life or the Steamboat Tennis & Pickleball Center, please call 970.879.8400 or visit SteamboatTennisandPickleball.com. CS4L is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and Colorado taxpayers are eligible for 25% state income tax credits for cash donations of $250 and more. Donations and pledges, which may be spread up to 3 years, may be made online at CourtSports4Life.org/donate.