By JIM BUTLER

A century after taking their place among Alexandria recreation sites and about a half-century after becoming an afterthought the city’s initial public tennis courts are about to become relevant again.

The four-court site on Hickory Street just off the Masonic Drive-Lee Street intersection are getting a facelift to provide modern recreation opportunity.

The City Council last week authorized bid solicitation for bringing the location back into the city’s play-time inventory.

On what are now the ruins of a once-premier facility the city intends to spend about a million dollars to essentially return an asset to productive use.

Before there were private tennis facilities, before there were Frank O. Hunter Park courts, before there was the Tennis Facility on Masonic Drive, there were the Hickory Street hard courts where city, state and regional championships were held year to year, where players of all ages and both sexes stood in line for the next available court (use limited to one hour when someone waiting).

Tennis on the renovated Sports Court will be limited to two places of the table variety. Three chess tables will also be provided.

Included in the plans:

• Four cornhole sets;
• A basketball court;
• Four 4-corner squares;
• Six pickleball courts.

Estimated cost of the multi-purpose court is $691,000. Parking lot construction is figured at $165,000 and lighting at $133,000.

Bids will be received through mid-morning on November 4.

The bid documents provide 90 working days.