DAVAO CITY – The Eco-1 Tennis Center Inc. cited First Congressional District Representative Paolo Z. Duterte for his contribution to refurbishing the Center’s court at Phase 1 Ecoland Subdivision along Quimpo Boulevard in this city.

“On behalf of the Eco-1 Tennis Center, we would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the office of Congressman Paolo Duterte for the much-appreciated support. Once again, daghang salamat,” Eco-1 Tennis Center president Alex Bernan said.

Bernan said the Center, which has two hard courts and one shell court, has been the venue of significant tennis activities in Davao City since its creation in 1980. He added that various activities lifted the sport from its grassroots to the national level competition.

Among the significant activities that the entire Eco-1 Tennis Center believed brought the city to national prominence are the Philippine Tennis Academy (PTA), Davao Association of Tennis Clubs Inc. (Datec) Age Group Netfest, Davao City Athletic Association (DCAA) Tennis Tournament, and Davao Association of Tennis Clubs Inc. – Women’s Tennis Federation (Datec–WTF).

Bernan said that over the past years, the maintenance of the Center relied mainly on the funds coming from members’ contributions – membership fees and monthly dues. He added that with the low collection rate due to COVID-19, it was more for them to maintain the tennis courts.

“The long wear and tear of the Center’s hard courts have taken its toll. The cracked cement and uneven surfaces are visibly affecting the bounce and players’ footing that led to some players’ minor accidents, thus, the need to repair and improve their courts,” he narrated.

The Eco-1 Tennis Center inaugurated their courts on February 9 after the overhaul, which started last November. The Center contracted a Manila-based contractor specializing in an International Tennis Federation (ITF) standard Multi-Layer Acri-Flex Hardcourt.

Bernan said this is the first ITF-approved court in Davao City.

The tennis center president recounted that the materials ordered abroad between November 2023 and January this year were shipped and transported from Manila to Davao. The materials arrived at Eco 1 Tennis Center on February 2, 2024.

“Upon the arrival, the restoration of Eco 1 Tennis Center’s Center Court immediately commenced. Workers from Manila worked day and night due to the sensitivity of the materials used,” Bernan said.

Bernan, who expressed his profound gratitude to Rep. Duterte and his office, said the Eco-1 Tennis Court is now ready and safe to use by the always energetic, game, and competitive sports players of Davao City.