The public effort to help raise money to rebuild the Elkin Muncipal Park's tennis courts is being helped by one of its greatest advocates, former Elkin mayor and tennis enthusiast Tom Gwyn.

Gwyn, along with an eight member panel have organized a group called Elkin Friends of Tennis. The group has sent out letters asking fellow tennis lovers in the community to donate tax deductible contributions to help build new tennis courts.

"The tennis courts opened for play in 1980," said Gwyn, who plays weekly on the courts that are named in his honor. "They have been a wonderful source of enjoyment, competitive play and tournaments for over 20 years."

Over the last several years, the Town of Elkin has spent thousands of dollars to repair the courts so they could meet the USTA (United States Tennis Association) requirements for competitive play and for use by the girls and boys tennis teams of Elkin City schools practice and host matches.

"The town has repaired the courts, but it's to the point of only adding a band-aid and the USTA has taken the position that the courts are no longer suitable for tournaments because of the cracks and flaws now present," Gwyn said. "The town of Elkin made a commitment to replace the courts if they could get help with the funding. Surry County commissioners committed to $75,000 and the Elkin school system committed $50,000," he said. "Additional funding of at least $50,000 is needed to complete the courts. The town of Elkin is paying $150,000."

The total cost of replacing the courts is $300,000 according to the proposal made to the Elkin Board of commissioners by Adam McComb, Elkin's Recreation and Parks director.

"In 1983 we held the first USTA Jr. Novice tournament in Elkin," Gwyn said. In 1985, the town and the USTA had an amateur tennis tournament where girls and boys from all over the world came to Elkin and played in the tournament. Families in Elkin hosted the players and this continued until 2003. We were one of only seven sites across the United States that participated in the tournaments, here in Elkin, North Carolina. Some of the other sites were in California and Florida. We were very proud to be included in such an event.

"In 2004, the Myers Jr. tournament began," he said. "The tournament is named for brothers David and Charles Myers, longtime tennis lovers. The tournament is held in early August every year.

"This year, right after the tournament, we hope that construction will begin on the new courts," Gwyn said. "It's my understanding that the new courts would be fully operational again by mid-September. That would allow for USTA tournaments again."

Gwyn continued to say that tennis is a wonderful sport that is fun and encourages good sportsmanship, health and competitive play. He also said that tennis has and continues to be a vital part of the Elkin community."

"When a tournament is played in Elkin, players come from all over," Gwyn said. "We have 50 or more players whose families usually bring them in because they're too young for driver's license. These families are great for our tourism because they stay in our hotels, eat in our restaurants and shop in downtown Elkin on Friday and Saturday nights.

"We're very pleased to say that the response to our request for donations has gone very well," he said. "We are receiving checks and payments from many citizens. We offered an opportunity to name a court for a $5,000 donation and immediately eight people quickly signed up. We're very grateful to the citizens of Elkin and lovers of tennis.

"We're planning on sending letters of request for donations out again next week to help bring the total funding to the amount needed to begin the replacement of the courts.

"Anyone wanting to make a donation can send a check to the Elkin Recreation Department, P. O Box 345, Elkin, 28621."

Gwyn said that tennis is not a complicated game to play and that with one phone call you can have a singles game going on in minutes. He said it doesn't take but a minute to get several willing players lined up in Elkin.

"You can play a game from 30 minutes to three hours," Gwyn said. "Tennis is something everyone should try and many of the citizens of Elkin play."

McComb announced that he would like for bids on the construction to open on July 27, at this past Monday night's town board meeting. Construction is expected to begin around Aug. 10.