As students and buses are pulling up to the school, construction workers and their machinery are pulling up to the tennis courts. Construction began on Oct 2, and the crew is hopeful to finish before the boy’s tennis season begins on March 13.

Jackson Patton, a junior on the boys tennis team said, “I’m really excited for them, looking forward to playing on them, and they should be a major increase in quality compared to the old ones.” 

It has been several years since the last time the tennis courts have seen any improvements. These improvements on the tennis courts could be very beneficial for the boys this upcoming season and the girls next fall, taking away any cracks or soft spots on them. This allows for practice and games to be more fun and competitive.

Dr. Buffington, head principal of Carlisle High School stated, “We needed to upgrade our tennis courts because our tennis courts needed to be of a certain standard.” 

After the tennis courts are reconstructed, the school district will propose the rest of the upgrades to the school board sometime this winter. 

Doctor Buffington listed some of the enhancements to be proposed,  like “ a new entryway and new locker rooms, new restrooms, all those different pieces, plus a permanent stadium actually at the turf field too.” These updates are intended to be beneficial. The entryways and locker rooms would be helpful for the athletes on the field to maneuver around the turf and the stadium and the restrooms allow for the audience to feel more comfortable while watching the game. 

Not only is the school looking to upgrade the turf fields, but it will attempt to make use of the two courtyards by the McGowan auditorium. Buffington explains, “we’re looking at possibly the two courtyards beside the McGowan auditorium to close them in and possibly make them into classrooms/storage areas.” to accommodate  the school’s need for more learning space. She also mentions updates within the McGowan cafeteria.

The tennis courts are just the beginning of the construction that will help improve the sports facilities and McGowan building over the next few years.