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Roseburg Cuts Ribbon on New Outdoor Tennis and Pickleball Facility

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ROSEBURG, Ore. — The city of Roseburg officially opened its rebuilt tennis and pickleball facility with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, marking the completion of a $2.5 million project that replaced aging ...

ROSEBURG, Ore. — The city of Roseburg officially opened its rebuilt tennis and pickleball facility with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, marking the completion of a $2.5 million project that replaced aging courts dating to the 1950s and 1960s.

The new complex, located in Stewart Park, features eight tennis courts and ten pickleball courts. It replaces eleven courts originally built in 1959 and 1970 that had deteriorated over more than five decades of use. The facility is the only public outdoor court complex in the Roseburg area.

Funding came from three sources: a $750,000 grant from Oregon State Parks, roughly $500,000 from the city, and $1.25 million raised by the community through the Umpqua Valley Tennis Center, a local nonprofit that has operated for more than 50 years.

Eric Ball, president of the UVTC, said the project traces back to a 2018 master plan developed after the group assessed the poor condition of the existing courts. That plan sat dormant for five years until a member identified the state parks grant opportunity in 2023. The organization applied in April of that year and received the award that November. Construction went out to bid in March 2025, and JRT Construction, based in Oakland, Oregon, began work the following June. The project took approximately nine months to complete.

Ball credited a long list of donors for pushing the community fundraising past the million-dollar mark. Among the larger contributors were the John and Gene Loosely Foundation, the Ford Family Foundation, Umpqua Health Alliance, Ranco Systems, Lone Rock Timber, North River Boats, and several individual donors. Ball also noted that local pickleball tournaments organized by community members generated significant revenue for the project.

The upgrades extend beyond the playing surfaces. The complex now includes LED lighting for evening play, security cameras, a coded gate-lock entry system, ADA-accessible design, and concrete spectator seating positioned between the tennis and pickleball sections.

Roseburg Mayor Larry Rich presided over the ceremony and emphasized the role of local contractors and community investment in bringing the project to completion.

City Manager Nikki Messenger said the project offers a model for future park improvements in Roseburg. She noted that the city used tourism-related funds for its portion of the financing, a decision she described as a first for a project of this scale. The reasoning, she said, was that the UVTC's track record of hosting tournaments would generate hotel stays, restaurant visits, and retail spending sufficient to justify the investment.

Messenger also said the city is developing a new master plan for Stewart Park and considering additional improvements elsewhere in its park system. She encouraged residents to participate in that planning process.

Ball framed the project in generational terms, noting that children who grew up playing on the original courts, himself included, now have a facility built for the next several decades of youth athletics. Local youth tennis players turned out in force for the ribbon cutting, and high school teams have already begun practicing on the new courts this week.

The courts are open to the public. For inquiries and access information, residents can contact the Umpqua Valley Tennis Center at (541) 673-3429 or visit www.umpquavalleytennis.com. A reservation system for the outdoor courts is expected to be announced in the coming weeks, and a separate grand opening celebration is planned for later this year. Additional details will be posted as they become available.

The Umpqua Valley Tennis Center is located at 1201 NW Stewart Parkway, Roseburg, OR 97471. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (closed 12:30 to 2 p.m.), and Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

ROSEBURG, Ore. — The city of Roseburg officially opened its rebuilt tennis and pickleball facility with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, marking the completion of a $2.5 million project that replaced aging courts dating to the 1950s and 1960s.The new complex, located in Stewart Park, features eight tennis courts and ten pickleball courts. It replaces eleven courts originally built in 1959 and 1970 that had deteriorated over more than five decades of use. The facility is the only public outdoor court complex in the Roseburg area.Funding came from three sources: a $750,000 grant from Oregon State Parks, roughly $500,000 from the city, and $1.25 million raised by the community through the Umpqua Valley Tennis Center, a local nonprofit that has operated for more than 50 years.Eric Ball, president of the UVTC, said the project traces back to a 2018 master plan developed after the group assessed the poor condition of the existing courts. That plan sat dormant for five years until a member identified the state parks grant opportunity in 2023. The organization applied in April of that year and received the award that November. Construction went out to bid in March 2025, and JRT Construction, based in Oakland, Oregon, began work the following June. The project took approximately nine months to complete.Ball credited a long list of donors for pushing the community fundraising past the million-dollar mark. Among the larger contributors were the John and Gene Loosely Foundation, the Ford Family Foundation, Umpqua Health Alliance, Ranco Systems, Lone Rock Timber, North River Boats, and several individual donors. Ball also noted that local pickleball tournaments organized by community members generated significant revenue for the project.The upgrades extend beyond the playing surfaces. The complex now includes LED lighting for evening play, security cameras, a coded gate-lock entry system, ADA-accessible design, and concrete spectator seating positioned between the tennis and pickleball sections.Roseburg Mayor Larry Rich presided over the ceremony and emphasized the role of local contractors and community investment in bringing the project to completion.City Manager Nikki Messenger said the project offers a model for future park improvements in Roseburg. She noted that the city used tourism-related funds for its portion of the financing, a decision she described as a first for a project of this scale. The reasoning, she said, was that the UVTC's track record of hosting tournaments would generate hotel stays, restaurant visits, and retail spending sufficient to justify the investment.Messenger also said the city is developing a new master plan for Stewart Park and considering additional improvements elsewhere in its park system. She encouraged residents to participate in that planning process.Ball framed the project in generational terms, noting that children who grew up playing on the original courts, himself included, now have a facility built for the next several decades of youth athletics. Local youth tennis players turned out in force for the ribbon cutting, and high school teams have already begun practicing on the new courts this week.The courts are open to the public. For inquiries and access information, residents can contact the Umpqua Valley Tennis Center at (541) 673-3429 or visit <a rel="noopener noreferrer" class="!text-blue-600 !cursor-pointer hover:!underline" href="http://www.umpquavalleytennis.com">www.umpquavalleytennis.com</a>. A reservation system for the outdoor courts is expected to be announced in the coming weeks, and a separate grand opening celebration is planned for later this year. Additional details will be posted as they become available.The Umpqua Valley Tennis Center is located at 1201 NW Stewart Parkway, Roseburg, OR 97471. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (closed 12:30 to 2 p.m.), and Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Ryan Finlay

Moses Finlay

Esther Finlay

Elijah Finlay

Steffanie Moore

Roseburg’s rebuilt outdoor Stewart Park complex is now open with eight tennis courts and 10 pickleball courts.

ROSEBURG, Ore. — The city of Roseburg officially opened its rebuilt tennis and pickleball facility with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, marking the completion of a $2.5 million project that replaced aging courts dating to the 1950s and 1960s.

The new complex, located in Stewart Park, features eight tennis courts and ten pickleball courts. It replaces eleven courts originally built in 1959 and 1970 that had deteriorated over more than five decades of use. The facility is the only public outdoor court complex in the Roseburg area.

Funding came from three sources: a $750,000 grant from Oregon State Parks, roughly $500,000 from the city, and $1.25 million raised by the community through the Umpqua Valley Tennis Center, a local nonprofit that has operated for more than 50 years.

Eric Ball, president of the UVTC, said the project traces back to a 2018 master plan developed after the group assessed the poor condition of the existing courts. That plan sat dormant for five years until a member identified the state parks grant opportunity in 2023. The organization applied in April of that year and received the award that November. Construction went out to bid in March 2025, and JRT Construction, based in Oakland, Oregon, began work the following June. The project took approximately nine months to complete.

Ball credited a long list of donors for pushing the community fundraising past the million-dollar mark. Among the larger contributors were the John and Gene Loosely Foundation, the Ford Family Foundation, Umpqua Health Alliance, Ranco Systems, Lone Rock Timber, North River Boats, and several individual donors. Ball also noted that local pickleball tournaments organized by community members generated significant revenue for the project.

The upgrades extend beyond the playing surfaces. The complex now includes LED lighting for evening play, security cameras, a coded gate-lock entry system, ADA-accessible design, and concrete spectator seating positioned between the tennis and pickleball sections.

Roseburg Mayor Larry Rich presided over the ceremony and emphasized the role of local contractors and community investment in bringing the project to completion.

City Manager Nikki Messenger said the project offers a model for future park improvements in Roseburg. She noted that the city used tourism-related funds for its portion of the financing, a decision she described as a first for a project of this scale. The reasoning, she said, was that the UVTC's track record of hosting tournaments would generate hotel stays, restaurant visits, and retail spending sufficient to justify the investment.

Messenger also said the city is developing a new master plan for Stewart Park and considering additional improvements elsewhere in its park system. She encouraged residents to participate in that planning process.

Ball framed the project in generational terms, noting that children who grew up playing on the original courts, himself included, now have a facility built for the next several decades of youth athletics. Local youth tennis players turned out in force for the ribbon cutting, and high school teams have already begun practicing on the new courts this week.

The courts are open to the public. For inquiries and access information, residents can contact the Umpqua Valley Tennis Center at (541) 673-3429 or visit 

. A reservation system for the outdoor courts is expected to be announced in the coming weeks, and a separate grand opening celebration is planned for later this year. Additional details will be posted as they become available.

The Umpqua Valley Tennis Center is located at 1201 NW Stewart Parkway, Roseburg, OR 97471. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (closed 12:30 to 2 p.m.), and Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.