Some of the participants of the ATA Tennis Camp 2004

Tennis Academy honours sponsors and visiting coaches

At a cocktail reception at the Anguilla Great House the Anguilla Tennis Academy (ATA) honoured some of the sponsors of the academy and the visiting coaches from the USA.

The Governor, Alan Huckle, was present and reported that he had enjoyed visiting the tennis camp and the coaches. He said that Mitch (President Mitchelle Lake) is now giving back to the children of Anguilla after benefiting himself from a tennis scholarship. He described the new project at Blowing Point as a marvelous one that will be a major facility for the island.

The Minister of Finance, Victor Banks described the tennis facility as one of the island's most significant projects achieved by a young man. He thanked Mitchelle Lake for his work on behalf of the young people saying that it will help the young people for the future.

Bill Riddle, who is the Executive Director of the ATA thanked all the coaches for giving up their time for the past week. He also thanked the resorts and restaurants that have catered for the 18 coaches. He said he is hoping for more exchanges between the US and Anguilla and hopes some Anguillian tennis players will be able to go the US in the near future.

Lake added his thanks to the many persons who have assisted the ATA. He encouraged everyone to support the ATA by buying a brick for US$ 100.00. He recognized the work and support of several persons and plaques were presented to Marvin Hazell, to Don Curtis for Caribbean Cable Communications, to Marcel Fahie, Bill Riddle and the Anguilla Printers.

Tennis Academy making good progress

The state-of-the-art tennis facility being built at Blowing Point by the Anguilla Tennis Academy (ATA) is progressing very well. The cisterns have been poured, the foundation is being filled and poured.

Mitchelle Lake, President of the ATA praised the team for their outstanding job in moving the project forward. The Project Chairman is Walton Fleming, the Project Manager, Hugo Rey, Contractor Jeff Richardson, with Gavin Richardson (electric contract) and Buxton Gumbs (plumbing contract).

Lake says the facility will be a symbol of national pride, the project was conceptualized by an Anguillian and should be fully supported by the Anguillian community. He is urging the public to contribute to the project by purchasing a brick or making a pledge with funding or in kind, "Lay a brick for the foundation of our children" is the slogan. Bricks will be inscribed with the name of the donors or other designated names.

Lake thanked the Government, the National Bank of Anguilla, Social Security and Caribbean Commercial Bank for their generous contributions. "My hope is that other businesses and persons in the country will also get involved and pledge support for this worthwhile project," he said.

It has been designed by Myron Goldfinger and includes six lighted tennis courts, a stadium court with seating for more than a thousand, and a main building with conference room, bathroom facilities, offices, a pro shop and lounge area. When the construction of the main building is nearing completion the tennis courts will be built.