April 1, 2005 -- The University of Virginia and the UVA Foundation have announced plans for a $7.5 million tennis center expansion that will enhance the Boar’s Head Inn already outstanding reputation in the tennis world while providing the University’s outstanding tennis programs with one of the nation’s premier facilities.
Boar’s Head Inn, owned and operated by the UVA Foundation, is a staple on Tennis Magazine’s annual “Top 50 Tennis Resorts” rankings, currently features three indoor courts and three additional courts located under a temporary bubble. The expansion plans call for three courts in a new, air-conditioned facility and six additional courts in a separate facility, bringing the total number of indoor courts to 12.

The expansion will also feature the addition of seating for up to 1,000, allowing more tennis fans than ever before to come out and support the University’s outstanding men’s and women’s tennis programs.

“Given the Boar’s Head Inn’s current recreational programs and facilities, we are honored to again be ranked among the nation’s best tennis locations,” said Mark Kington, chairman of the foundation’s board of directors, and a member of the University’s board of visitors. “With this expansion we look forward to expanding our reach even further and providing the University and Charlottesville community with one of the finest tennis centers in the country.”

“We are delighted to be working with the University of Virginia Foundation and the Boar’s Head Inn to create a facility that is consistent with our department goal of building and maintaining the highest quality facilities in the country with the purpose of attracting and developing the best student-athletes,” said Craig Littlepage, director of Athletics at U.Va. “We are particularly happy that the facility will offer members of the community a great opportunity to come out and support our outstanding men’s and women’s teams.”

Ron Manilla, director of Racquet Sports at the Boar’s Head Inn agrees with Littlepage. “Charlottesville has become one of the great tennis centers on the East Coast,” said Manilla, “And Boar’s Head has been right at the center of the movement. This exciting development is a great thing for tennis lovers in our region while adding to our growing national profile as well.”

The indoor courts and facilities were designed by the Boston, MA architectural firm of Graham Meus with construction by Kjellstrom & Lee Co, Richmond, VA. Construction of the project begins this month, with completion slated for December.
The Boar’s Head Inn is a 170-room resort set on 573 acres in the Virginia countryside near Charlottesville, VA. Rated a AAA Four-Diamond resort the Boar’s Head Inn offers four-diamond dining, a state-of-the-art Sports Club, tennis, championship golf, a luxury spa, children’s programs, meeting space, and is convenient to area attractions such as U.Va., Monticello, the Blue Ridge Mountains and local wineries.

For more information on the Boar’s Head Inn please call 800-476-1988 or visit Boar’s Head Inn’s Web site at www.boarsheadinn.com.