A landmark of the Henrico County tennis community re-opened on July 13 when the county held a dedication ceremony for the eight newly renovated tennis courts at Belmont Golf Course and Recreation Center near Lakeside Avenue.

The courts had been closed since November 2010 for a renovation that cost approximately $600,000 in county funds from the capital improvement program.

“We desperately needed to take [the courts] out of service to redo them,” said Neil Luther, acting director of the Henrico County Division of Parks and Recreation.

Numerous and widespread improvements were made to the six clay courts and two hard-surface courts at Belmont that originally were constructed in 1960. Among the upgrades made were a major overhaul and resurfacing of all eight courts, an underground irrigation system for the clay courts and brand new fencing around the courts.

“[This renovation] would not have been possible without the support and vision of the Henrico County Board of Supervisors,” Deputy County Manager Robert Pinkerton said during the re-opening ceremony.

Officially acquired by Henrico County in 1977, the tennis courts at Belmont have become an integral part of the local tennis community.

“[These courts] are definitely the crown jewel of tennis in Henrico,” Chairman of the Henrico County Board of Supervisors Frank J. Thornton said.

The dedication ceremony for the courts began with remarks from several Henrico government officials, including County Manager Virgil Hazelett and Brookland District Supervisor Dick Glover, vice chairman of the Board of Supervisors.

Then, in the early morning heat and humidity, government officials and other distinguished guests participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed immediately by two ceremonial first serves by Thornton and Glover.