Council approves Cosmo‑Bethel tennis court resurfacing; Columbia Public Schools to share cost

The City Council authorized resurfacing and related maintenance for the 12 tennis courts located at Cosmo‑Bethel Park and adjacent Gentry Middle School on Aug. 4, 2025, approving plans to repair cracks, level and repaint courts, and replace aging court lighting on courts 1–4 with LED fixtures.

Nut graf: Parks staff said the work is classified as major maintenance and will be done in three phases so that four courts are taken offline at a time to preserve public and school access. The council approved a cost‑share agreement that will have Columbia Public Schools pay one‑third of the total project cost.

Gabe Huffington, Parks and Recreation Director, told council the project is funded from park sales tax and that dividing the work into three bank renovations preserves eight courts for public use while one bank is under construction. The project includes crack repair, court leveling (to improve drainage), painting and line‑striping for different age groups, replacement of light fixtures on the oldest courts (courts 1–4) and replacement of nets and windscreens as needed.

Parks staff said the United States Tennis Association (USTA) offers a possible grant to offset costs; if the department is awarded a USTA grant, staff will return to council to authorize acceptance of that grant. A representative of the local tennis community thanked the council and urged prompt approval, noting tournaments had been moved away this season because court conditions were poor.

The council approved the ordinance on second reading; city staff will bid the project and proceed with construction once work contracts are awarded. Parks staff noted they generally renovate courts on a four‑ to six‑year cycle and plan a complete rebuild of courts 1–4 in FY2028.