WEST PITTSTON — For the past three years, the Wyoming Area Tennis Booster Club hasn’t stopped trying to get the school’s courts back in shape. Although several fundraisers have been held, little progress has been made to restore the courts, which would cost upwards of $100,000.

In light of the financial situation regarding the courts, the Wyoming Area Tennis Booster Club will host a “Save Our Courts” Kickball Tournament on Saturday, Sept. 24 at the Wyoming Little League fields.

The double elimination tournament will begin at 9 a.m. and feature one-hour game limits, a 10-run mercy rule, no hitting the runner with the ball, and awards to the winners and runner-up. Team sizes range from 9-11 players for ages 7 and up.

Cost is $200 per team, or $10 per player.

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Wyoming Area girls tennis coach Tiffany Callaio has been trying to get the courts restored for many years.

In July 2015, the courts on Boston Avenue were deemed dangerous by the school’s architect and the team would not be able to compete on them. Therefore, the Warriors have been sharing courts with Pittston Area at the Martin L. Mattei Educational Campus in Hughestown.

When the Warriors can’t get on the courts at Pittston Area, they use two asphalt courts in Harding.

Working with Pittston Area’s head coach Amanda Carmody has been seamless for Callaio. The Warriors play their home matches there, but will be forced to have a large number of away matches this season because of the court situation. Callaio said her team is now used to the fact they don’t play on a home court.

“It’s not as much of a big deal to them,” Callaio said. “Tennis is different when it comes to having home matches. But we always have the most fans and parents of any team.”

Currently, there are 19 girls on the tennis team.

The court restoration can range up to $150,000 if lights are installed. According to Callaio, the court is in too much of repair that all the fencing, nets and court surface will have to be ripped out and redone.

“There’s been too many cracks building up,” she said. “It will have to be a brand new facility.”

Anyone interested in making a donation to help offset the cost of the new tennis courts can make a check payable to Wyoming Area Tennis Booster Club and mail it to: Attn. Annette Cheskiewicz, 208 Anthracite St., Exeter, PA 18643. Anyone who donates $200 or more will get their name/business name on a banner that will be installed near the courts.

Donors will also receive a “Good Samaritan” plaque.

The Wyoming Area tennis courts were shut down in August 2015 and have not been restored.
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/web1_WAcourts3.jpg.optimal.jpgThe Wyoming Area tennis courts were shut down in August 2015 and have not been restored. Tony Callaio File Photo | For Sunday Dispatch

By Nick Wagner

nwagner@timesleader.com

Reach Nick Wagner at 570-991-6406 or on Twitter @Dispatch_Nick