Augustana to host Lincoln Park tennis complex dedication

Augustana College will host a dedication of the Lincoln Park Tennis Complex at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 7. The $1.5 million project includes six National Collegiate Athletic Association-regulation tennis courts adjacent to campus at 38th Street and 11th Avenue. The courts opened for campus and community use last spring.

Augustana College President Andrea Talentino, an Augustana student-athlete and Rock Island Mayor Mike Thoms will speak at the dedication.

“We’re delighted to celebrate the opening of these fantastic courts that will serve both our men’s and women’s tennis teams as well as the Quad-Cities community,” said President Talentino. “This project is a tremendous partnership with the city of Rock Island, and I've been absolutely thrilled to see so much use, with students and community members alike enjoying these state-of-the-art facilities.”

The college entered a 10-year agreement with the city of Rock Island to lease the portion of the park that previously had aging tennis and basketball courts. The agreement includes an option to renew. Funded by the college, the project has received strong support from Augustana alumni.

“We are thrilled to call this beautiful facility home,” said David DeSimone, Augustana’s head women’s and men’s tennis coach. “Having this premier facility is a reflection of the commitment to providing an exceptional student-athlete experience. I’m grateful to President Talentino and the city of Rock Island for making this project a priority.”

The Lincoln Park project allowed Augustana to relocate its tennis teams from their past facilities near the Roy. J. Carver Physical Education Center. The Vikings tennis rosters include about 30 students, with players coming from five states and six countries. Combined, the teams have claimed four Collegiate Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin championships in the past five years. In the 2023-2024 school year, 11 women and seven men were named Intercollegiate Tennis Association Scholar-Athletes.

Designed by Bettendorf-based Shive-Hattery Inc. and construction-managed by Estes Construction, the project includes lighted courts, 17 parking stalls and bleachers. Permanent restrooms will replace temporary restrooms at the site in the future. In addition to tennis play, three courts are lined for pickleball.