R-MC Opens New Tennis Facility

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Randolph-Macon College is proud to announce the opening of a brand-new tennis complex on campus. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on Saturday, October 9, 2010 at the complex located at 112 Henry Clay Road, Ashland, Virginia. R-MC Tennis Coach Wayne Vaughan and the R-MC tennis teams were on hand, and mini tennis clinics were held for elementary-age students. In addition, competition and clinics for middle- and high-school students were held, with prizes provided by Wilson.

"We are extremely happy to open this facility, and we designed it to provide a new home for the R-MC men's and women's tennis teams and also to be enjoyed by the community," said R-MC President Robert R. Lindgren. "The complex has lighted courts, public parking and spectator seating. We hope the Ashland community enjoys this complex.

The Randolph-Macon tennis complex was relocated south of its previous location and sits near the Ashland train station. The courts, which sit on five acres, are designed for public play when not in use by the College. The complex includes ten playing courts with four courts lighted at night, stadium seating, a restroom facility, a gazebo and benches. The complex is accessible to the public from Henry Clay Road, and there is ample parking.

As part of R-MC's commitment to the environment, a shallow marsh strong water management pond was created to catch water run-off from the complex. Approximately 3,300 plants along the marsh will clean the drainage water before it goes into the wetlands.

"The R-MC community has worked very hard to make sure that improvements made to our campus do not adversely affect the environment," said Lindgren. "The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has recognized R-MC as one of only two colleges in the state to be accepted into the Virginia Environmental Excellence Program (VEEP) at the E2 level (Environmental Excellence). We are very proud of that honor and want to continue in that effort."

Phase One of R-MC's Master Plan is underway with several construction projects in progress or completed. Development of the Plan, which was approved in February 2009 by the college's Board of Trustees, was a collaborative process involving faculty, staff, students, alumni, trustees and members of the community. In addition to the tennis complex, R-MC has completed the relocation of Smith Street, which is now a block north of its previous location. The relocation will allow for the expansion of athletic amenities to include de-coupling the football and baseball fields. The football field will be moved to a north-south position. Plans are also in place to build a new freshmen residence hall, bordering the new football field. The hall, which is expected to be completed by August 2011, will be named to honor retired Dean of Students and Professor Emeritus Rev. Ira L. Andrews III '59.

This release is courtesy of the Randolph-Macon College sports information department.