The USTA honored Littleton Golf and Tennis as one of 41 winners in the USTA’s annual Outstanding Facility Awards program, which recognizes excellence in the construction and/or renovation of tennis facilities throughout the country.
South Suburban replaced the Littleton Golf and Tennis “bubble” in 2023 after recognizing a need for more sustainable infrastructure. With the goal of operating one of the premier indoor tennis facilities in the Denver metro region, a new 54,000 square foot facility was built. The steel structure features six regulation tennis courts, a pro shop, larger kitchen and bar area, and outdoor seating. Since opening, Littleton Golf and Tennis has hosted more than 1,200 USTA league and tournament players. In addition, the six indoor courts are home to 1,500 weekly patrons participating in adult and junior classes, permanent court times, and in-house leagues.
“The new Littleton facility demonstrates South Suburban’s commitment to the sport of tennis,” said Tennis & Pickleball Manager, Mia Settlemire. “In Colorado, the unpredictable weather requires flexibility and options for indoor play. The six regulation courts allow us to offer year-round programming including classes, USTA leagues and tournaments, in-house leagues and special events catering to a wide array of levels and abilities for juniors and adults alike. The upgraded restaurant and bar serve as a versatile space for our tennis community to gather and connect.”
"Outstanding tennis facilities like Littleton Golf and Tennis help us to grow the game at the grassroots level, and we are proud to recognize them for their ongoing impact on the sport of tennis,” said Theodore Loehrke, Managing Director, Section Partnerships, USTA. “The great work of South Suburban Parks and Recreation continues to support our shared mission of growing tennis to inspire healthier people and communities everywhere."
Facilities were judged on the following criteria: overall layout and adaptation to site; excellence of court surface and lights; ease of maintenance; accommodations for players, spectators and press/officials; aesthetics; graphics (including the use of signs and landscaping); amenities such as casual seating for spectators, food services and social areas; and the facilities’ participation in grassroots tennis programs.
Nominated facilities were voted on in the following categories: Public Courts that are either small tennis centers with 2-11 courts or large tennis centers with 12 or more courts; Private Facilities that offer both USTA and public programming designed to help grow tennis (small: 2-11 courts; large: 12 or more courts); and Educational Institutions such as colleges, universities, public and private grade schools, middle schools, or high schools. All 2024 award winners will receive a wall plaque and an all-weather sign, which can be mounted at the facility.
The 2024 USTA Outstanding Facility Award winners are:
Public Courts: Small Tennis Centers (2 to 11 courts)
Academia Puertorriqueña de Tenis (San Juan, P.R.)
Casper Tennis Complex (Casper, Wyo.)
Center Recreation Complex Gallagher Tennis Courts (Lexington, Mass.)
Littleton Golf and Tennis (Littleton, Colo.)
Schaumburg Tennis Plus (Schaumburg, Ill.)
Telluride Racquet Club (Telluride, Colo.)
Waveland Triangle Clay Tennis Courts (Minneapolis)
Public Courts: Large Tennis Centers (12 or more courts)
Arthur L. Allen Tennis Center (Naples, Fla.)
Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning (Bronx, N.Y.)
Darling Tennis Center (Las Vegas)
Denton Tennis and Pickleball Center (Denton, Texas)
Frank Veltri Tennis Center (Plantation, Fla.)
H-E-B Tennis Center Harlingen (Harlingen, Texas)
Leftwich Tennis Center (Memphis, Tenn.)
O’Connor Tennis Center (Montgomery, Ala.)
Pelham Racquet Club (Pelham, Ala.)
Pompano Beach Tennis Center (Pompano Beach, Fla.)
Sioux Park Tennis Facility (Rapid City, S.D.)
Washington Tennis & Education Foundation East Campus (Washington, D.C.)
*named USTA Featured Facility of the Year
Small Private Facilities (2-11 courts)
Alpine Hills Tennis & Swimming Club (Portola Valley, Calif.)
CourtSense at Bogota Racquet Club (Bogota, N.J.)
Dedham Health and Athletic Complex (Dedham, Mass.)
Forest Highlands Golf Club (Flagstaff, Ariz.)
Life Time Frisco (Frisco, Texas)
North Carolina State University Club (Raleigh, N.C.)
Pearson Automotive Tennis Club (Zionsville, Ind.)
Sea Pines Country Club (Hilton Head Island, S.C.)
Tennis Addiction Sports Club (Exton, Pa.)
Large Private Facilities (12 or more courts)
Austin Tennis Academy (Austin, Texas)
Canebrake Country Club (Hattiesburg Miss.)
Genesis Health Clubs – Saw Mill Club (Mt. Kisco, N.Y.)
Germantown Cricket Club (Philadelphia)
New Orleans Lawn Tennis Club (New Orleans)
Omni Amelia Island Resort (Fernandina Beach, Fla.)
Educational Institutions
Barbara S. Wynne Tennis Center (Indianapolis)
Grand Haven High School (Grand Haven, Mich.)
IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.)
Lichtenberg Tennis Center (West Point, N.Y.)
Mark Reilly Tennis Center (Jeffersonville, Ind.)
Middle Tennessee State University Tennis Complex
PayCargo Tennis Center (Miami)