Hope College's Vande Poel-Heeringa Stadium Courts at the Etheridge Tennis Complex has received another national honor.

Hope College's Vande Poel-Heeringa Stadium Courts at the Etheridge Tennis Complex has received another national honor.

The facility is one of 19 winners from the 32nd annual United States Tennis Association Facility Award program that recognized excellence in the construction and/or renovation of tennis facilities throughout the country.

The Vande Poel-Heeringa Stadium Courts were recognized in the Educational Institution category earlier this month during the USTA's Semi-Annual Meeting in New York. In addition, it was lauded as the USTA's Featured Green Facility of the Year.

Earlier, the Vande Poel-Heeringa Stadium Courts at the Etheridge Tennis Center gained national recognition from the American Sports Builders Association in 2013.

"The new tennis stadium has become the buzz of the tennis community not only in West Michigan, but also across the country," said Jorge Capestany, manager of the college's DeWitt Tennis Center. "Just last week I was in N.Y.C. to receive this award and I had countless friends and tennis dignitaries comment to me about how beautiful and well designed the new facility was. Most of these people have only seen photos and I have found that when people see it in-person, they are even more impressed. The stadium has already impacted recruiting, the Hope College Summer Tennis Academy and our USTA tournaments in a very positive way. I am so grateful and proud to manage and operate out if this incredible place."

The Vande Poel-Heeringa Stadium Courts at the Etheridge Tennis Complex was built in 2012 and features 12 full-size courts. The facility has hosted six USTA 10 and Under Tennis events. Hope College's Tennis Academy there is currently the largest in Michigan.

To be considered for an award, facilities must be under the jurisdiction of a parks and recreation department, an educational institution, a non-profit corporation, or private or commercially owned and operated facilities that offer both USTA and public programming designed to help grow tennis.

All 2013 award winners will receive a wall plaque and an all-weather sign, which can be mounted at the facility. In addition, a one-year complimentary membership to the USTA will be awarded to each winning facility.

All of the winning facilities received praise for their implementation of USTA programs, including 10 and Under Tennis.

"Great tennis facilities like the Vande Poel-Heeringa Stadium Courts help us to grow the game at the grassroots level and we are proud to recognize them for their ongoing impact on the sport of tennis," said Kurt Kamperman, USTA's Chief Executive for Community Tennis. "The Vande Poel-Heeringa Stadium Courts has embraced many of our tennis initiatives, especially 10 and Under Tennis, introducing thousands of new players to the sport each year."

Hope College's Vande Poel-Heeringa Stadium Courts at the Etheridge Tennis Complex was designed by local firm, GMB Architecture and Engineering, headquartered in downtown Holland. 

"GMB is honored by this distinguished recognition from the USTA and we are pleased to have had the opportunity to work alongside Hope College on this beautiful community facility," said David Bolt, Architect at GMB.

Said Tim Gerrits, Landscape Architect at GMB," It was a great process, from the initial planning stages, to seeing it built to the highest quality standards, to being honored by the USTA. This project truly exemplifies all that goes into a first class facility and is a great addition to Hope's campus."