NEWBERRY — On Saturday, the City of Newberry held the grand opening of the Oakland Tennis Center, there was food, friendship, fun and of course tennis.

“There are a lot of people here, I had to park in the Oakland Mill Parking Lot, that shows there is a lot of excitement. We have great weather and it is a really nice day, the burgers smell great,” Mayor Foster Senn said. “Clearly there is a demand for tennis in Newberry, and a lot of new players here, and it’s really easy to get started.”

With the sun shining, there was no worry of shutting the hard courts down. Scott Sawyer, director of Parks, Recreation and Tourism with the City of Newberry, said for safety reasons people cannot play on the hard courts when wet.

“The clay courts you can play in the rain, unless it gets too saturated, but not too much of a safety issue with the clay as it is with the hard courts,” he said.

The Tennis Center officially opened on Jan. 3, and people have already started to utilize the facility. The grand opening gave residents a chance to see the facility, get to know the new tennis program and gather information on programs, such as the apprentice program.

A crowd gathers to watch the Newberry College tennis team play.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/web1_DSC_1123.jpgA crowd gathers to watch the Newberry College tennis team play. Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer

Deitrick Bishop, the Newberry High School tennis coach, plays some tennis.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/web1_DSC_1044.jpgDeitrick Bishop, the Newberry High School tennis coach, plays some tennis. Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer

The grand opening gave residents a chance to play tennis.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/web1_DSC_1049.jpgThe grand opening gave residents a chance to play tennis. Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer

Miss Newberry Outstanding Teen Kathryn Wilbanks and Miss Newberry 2018 Destiny Lemons help out during the Grand Opening.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/web1_DSC_1050.jpgMiss Newberry Outstanding Teen Kathryn Wilbanks and Miss Newberry 2018 Destiny Lemons help out during the Grand Opening. Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer

Nikhil Mannepalli, Newberry College tennis player, gets ready for the ball.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/web1_DSC_1054.jpgNikhil Mannepalli, Newberry College tennis player, gets ready for the ball. Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer

Jordan Monosky, Newberry College tennis player, plays during the grand opening.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/web1_DSC_1059.jpgJordan Monosky, Newberry College tennis player, plays during the grand opening. Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer

Members of the Newberry College tennis team show their pride.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/web1_DSC_1067.jpgMembers of the Newberry College tennis team show their pride. Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer

Members of the Newberry College tennis team with the Army Guard.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/web1_DSC_1069.jpgMembers of the Newberry College tennis team with the Army Guard. Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer

High School students came out to play.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/web1_DSC_1076.jpgHigh School students came out to play. Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer

Members of the community enjoyed using the clay courts.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/web1_DSC_1084.jpgMembers of the community enjoyed using the clay courts. Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer

Mayor Foster Senn buys some raffle tickets.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/web1_DSC_1089.jpgMayor Foster Senn buys some raffle tickets. Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer

During the grand opening, hamburgers and hot dogs were served.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/web1_DSC_1094.jpgDuring the grand opening, hamburgers and hot dogs were served. Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer

Amanda Carrillo and Rebecca Martinez stand with their posters.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/web1_DSC_1096.jpgAmanda Carrillo and Rebecca Martinez stand with their posters. Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer

Nikhil Mannepalli, Jordan Monosky, Angel Pizarro stand with their posters.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/web1_DSC_1100.jpgNikhil Mannepalli, Jordan Monosky, Angel Pizarro stand with their posters. Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer

Miss Newberry 2018 Destiny Lemons gets on the court.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/web1_DSC_1111.jpgMiss Newberry 2018 Destiny Lemons gets on the court. Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer

During the Grand Opening, a one point tournament was held.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/web1_DSC_1114.jpgDuring the Grand Opening, a one point tournament was held. Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer

High School students get out on the court.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/web1_DSC_1117.jpgHigh School students get out on the court. Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer

By Andrew Wigger

awigger@newberryobserver.com

Reach Andrew Wigger at 803-276-0625 ext. 1867 or on Twitter @ TheNBOnews.