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Chicago Daily Herald
Hanover Park Park District will debut about $540,000 in upgrades to the indoor tennis dome at the Centre Court Athletic Club by the end of the month.
The board of commissioners in June agreed to issue bonds to finance an overhaul of the aging facility. Since opening in 1999, the air-supported dome has collapsed several times. Heavy winds ripped the dome's fabric exterior about two years ago while tennis players hit balls below.
Crews should finish the work by Jan. 27, when the facility is slated to open at 6 a.m. at the park district's headquarters along Walnut Avenue.
Fans of the sport will find a more comfortable setting, Parks and Recreation Director Jeff Acks said.
New LED lighting and a more efficient heating and air conditioning system will generate utility savings, officials say. Plus, the dome, housing four courts, is now fully insulated.
"We'll get better heat for less money," Acks said.
Removing the old heating ducts makes the dome "look a lot bigger," Acks said, although the district did not expand its footprint.
Crews also will replace the dome's fabric with a heavier material.
Acks is confident those steps will prevent the structure's collapse.
"It's newer, so it's stronger," Acks said. "We won't have the problems."
The Centre Club hosts beginning and advanced group classes, as well as private lessons, at the park district's campus, 1919 Walnut Ave. For details, call (630) 837-2468 or visit .
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