CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Coonskin Park will soon see an upgrade to its tennis courts, the Kanawha County Commission decided last week.
The commission approved a $60,000 upgrade to resurface all six courts at the park, a better deal because individually it would be $20,000 per court.
“It’s been a long time since Coonskin has had an upgrade,” Commissioner Dave Hardy said. ” We made a committment this year to do some upgrades this year. By no later than Novemeber Coonskin should be in the best shape it’s been in in 30 years.”
Parks and Recreation Board Chairman Gen. Allen Tackett said that upgrading the tennis courts, which hosts the West Virginia high school state tournament is a priority because golf has been a losing battle for a while at the park.
“Last year was a bad year and we were $40,000 less this year,” Tackett said. “So it’s been a disaster for our golf courses at Big Bend and at Coonskin, but it’s been that way all over the state and all over the county.”
The heavy rains in July did golf courses in West Virginia no favors. Hardy said that aside from golf, the park is seeing a lot of action.
“Overall the park is being used more that ever. It’s going to have a new entrance in October which will give it a completely different look.”
Tackett hoped the paving of the tennis courts would begin within the next month after a contractor is selected.