Sunday, April 21, 2002
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Sunday, April 21, 2002 |
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Restaurant deal near completion for PTC tennis center expansion
By JOHN MUNFORD
A sports-themed grill is coming to the Peachtree City Tennis Center. Ashland Grill at Court 11 will be operated by the owners of the Valentino's restaurant in Peachtree City. The 3,000 sq. ft. space will feature sports memorabilia and some outdoor seating that will overlook courts 12 and 13, said Virgil Christian, executive director of the Development Authority of Peachtree City, which operates the facility. The "Court 11" name comes from the designation for the center's first-ever court, which residents were allowed to play on while the rest of the center's first phase was completed, Christian said. The restaurant and a pro shop will be on the top level of a new building that's part of the center's expansion project. The downstairs area will house tennis center and Development Authority offices as well as college courses from Clayton College & State University. The entire project, which includes six covered courts for use in inclement weather, should be ready by early June, Christian said. Although the lease agreement for the restaurant has not yet been signed with Valentino's representatives, the funds from that lease will help build out the restaurant, Christian told the Development Authority at its regular meeting Monday night. Valentino's was the only company Christian contacted that was interested in operating a restaurant at the tennis center, he noted. "It takes a lot of vision," Christian said. "Really, they're taking a chance, but I think it will prove successful for everyone. And it adds such a neat value for us." Authority member Doug Warner, an attorney who represents the Airport Authority, noted that they have been trying to attract a restaurant to Falcon Field for years without success. The expansion project has been hampered somewhat by extras that needed to be added on such as another fire hydrant and a new electrical transformer. The project was initially tabbed to cost $3.1 million but the price was pared down to $2.5 million. Christian said although the final numbers will be close, it will still come under budget. A number of corporations have come to the project's aid, specifically Cooper Lighting of Peachtree City, which dedicated one of its engineers to the project, Christian added. "Cooper Lighting is going to save the day," Christian said. Tennis companies adidas and Wilson have also helped out on the project, and Coca-Cola is expected to pitch in soon, Christian noted. Efforts have been made to make sure that corners are cut which won't detract from the overall project, Christian added. "We'll deliver an unbelievable project once it's all done," he said.
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