Since its opening in July 2023, the Pella High School Tennis Complex has experienced a successful first season. Pella’s girls’ tennis team won the state championship, and the boys’ team placed third.
The new complex—which includes 12 courts, accessible restrooms, and ample equipment storage—replaces deteriorated city-owned courts afflicted by long-standing structural issues. Its site is a community resource, with abundant green space enhancing recreational opportunities.
At Neumann Monson, we’ve enjoyed seeing this project’s impact on the Pella community. To celebrate its first season, this article will discuss the project’s background, design process, and amenities.
Love All: Project Background
For years, Pella’s tennis team practiced on city-owned courts near the high school. These courts had been built over an old city dump and experienced frequent cracking due to unstable soil. Patching and maintaining the courts had become a burden for the city.
At the same time, the courts posed inconveniences for coaches and players. They lacked restrooms and storage, causing problems during matches and practices. Spectators also struggled to view games due to the courts’ windscreens.
The city saw an opportunity to resolve these issues by transferring the property to the school district for redevelopment. In addition to giving the tennis team a dedicated home, this transfer increased the high school’s parking.
15-Love: Design Process
The project’s design process involved input from the school superintendent, facilities director, and athletic director. These parties coordinated with the tennis coaches to determine the teams’ needs.
When planning the new complex, the school district had many goals, including increasing parking and creating a central area for parents and fans to watch matches. Although the courts were separate from the high school, the district wanted them to fit in with the overall site plan and ease access between the two locations.
They aimed for 12 courts, a size that would allow them to host events like state tournaments. Throughout the design process, the athletic department provided feedback that gradually refined the plans. One request included 45-degree California corners on the fencing, a small but crucial detail that prevents balls from rolling onto neighboring courts.
30-Love: Site Design
Excavation occurred before construction to stabilize the soil. The team removed remnants of the old city dump—including tree trunks, bricks, and glass—before adding an imported substrate to stabilize the soil.
To further stabilize the courts, the school district opted for post-tensioned concrete. This material contains steel tendons within the concrete, creating a highly stable and durable surface.
The site was laid out with a central walkway separating two sets of six courts. In addition to giving spectators a place to watch matches, the walkway connects with the city’s trail system to encourage community engagement. The last two courts provide viewing opportunities from multiple directions and serve as championship courts during matches.
The central walkway connects to the city's trail system.
To create a connection between the high school and the courts, the central walkway aligns with the crosswalk and sidewalk across the street. A detention pond at the site’s southwest corner contributes to sustainable land use by managing storm water.
40-Love: Pavilion Design
In addition to its 12 courts, the tennis complex contains a pavilion to house equipment and restrooms. The structure—consisting of two Concrete Masonry Units (CMU) masses—creates a welcoming entry for players and visitors, leading them down the central walkway.
Near the parking lot, the roof plane includes a cantilever. This weather-protected area creates a natural gathering place for people entering or leaving the complex, facilitating socializing. The cantilevered roof plane also reduces heat gains during peak operating hours.
The cantilever provides a weather-protected area for visitors.
East-facing clerestory glazing provides natural daylight and minimizes electric light use in the restrooms and storage area. At night, the glazing emits a soft glow.
The restrooms are fully accessible, consisting of concrete walls and stainless-steel fixtures. This minimal palette of durable materials eases maintenance for the school and reduces operating costs.
Game, Set, Match: Pella Tennis Complex’s Community Impact
The new Pella High School Tennis Complex resolves multiple issues impacting the city and school district. In addition to addressing unstable soil conditions, the project provides restrooms, additional parking, and much-needed storage space. Pella’s teams now have a dedicated home with amenities for parents and fans.
Although the school district maintains the facility, it’s a community resource. The courts are open to the public and connect with the city’s trail system, attracting visitors and casual players. After a successful first season, the tennis complex is set to serve the school district and community for years.
The tennis complex is one of many exciting building projects in Pella. Down the road, construction is wrapping up on the Little Dutch Academy at the Viersen Early Learning Center, the school district’s first purpose-built preschool. Learn more about the project by reading about its background and design process.