Improving tennis in Libby
<p>Volunteers poured the concrete base for the flooring of the combined storage and concession area at the Libby tennis courts.</p>
Michael Curtiss is uniting construction workers, tennis enthusiasts for the common good, all the while working to accomplish a goal less than 3 percent achieve.
Curtiss, 15, a freshman at Libby High School, has taken on the leadership task of building a storage area at Libby’s tennis courts. Curtiss’ project will share a wall with a concession area that will be operated by U Serve Libby, the tennis enthusiasts group.
For Curtiss, the goal is the final task in achieving the Eagle Scout rank, the highest achievement bestowed upon boys younger than 18 of the Boy Scouts of America. According to BSA data, less than 3 percent of all boys who join Scouting achieve the rank of Eagle Scout.
“I like tennis, and it sounds like a good project,” Curtiss said, indicating his Logger tennis coach, Kyle Hannah, suggested the idea.
“I was thinking about what (project) to do, and coach said this was something that would be good for the team and the community,” Curtis said.
“When we’re done, they won’t have to tote the (practice) balls around any more,” Curtiss said.
While the project will assist Curtiss in achieving his Eagle Rank, it also is something that has been on the minds of the UServe Libby Committee.
“It’ll be great. For example, we can store our ball machine in the shed,” said Terry Oedewaldt of Oedewaldt Construction, who, like many, are volunteering their time for the project.
In addition to the storage and concession area that will measure 24-feet by 8-feet, also planned is a tennis backboard, which will allow students of the game to practice on their own.
“The backboard will be a great addition,” Oedewaldt said. “It’ll be something for the tennis players, racquetball players, anybody can hit up against.”
Curtiss said he still is in the fundraising stage of the project, which stresses learning leadership skills.
“We’re thinking it will take about $1,000, and I’ve got about $300 now,” Curtiss said. “We hope to have it done by the time football season begins. Hopefully, sometime this summer.”
Both Curtiss and Odewaldt thanked those who have contributed, including Granite Concrete, Dale Hughes of Quality Construction and others.
Persons wishing to contribute to the project may do so by sending a check to UServe Libby, PO Box 908, Libby, Mont., 59923.