Improvements at Paulson will provide a boost to tennis
Published 3:59 pm Tuesday, July 29, 2025
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Megan Grush hits a shot as Paw Claw looks on at Neveln Elementary last week. Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com
Keegan Flanders returns a shot at a tennis camp in at the courts at Neveln Elementary school last week. Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com
With construction taking place at Paulson Courts this summer, the Austin has held its summer camps at Neveln Elementary. Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com
Giselle Hinks serves at Neveln Elementary last week. Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com
There are many major changes happening around Austin High School’s sports facilities this summer, and Paulson Courts are on the verge of wrapping up a major makeover.
With projects on the AHS weight room and Hastings Gym well underway, Paulson should be playable by late August to early September.
The courts will have a smooth, brand new playing surface and the new design will also feature a walkway that will hold seating between the courts. Jeff Anderson, who has coached tennis in Austin for 27 years, said the courts will be much more friendly to parents and fans alike.
“It’s going to be reconfigured and we’ll have four sets of two courts,” Anderson said. “It’s going to be a lot better for viewing and coaching. It’ll be really nice for us.”
The courts had been resurfaced seven years ago, but that didn’t take care of the major issue that has been plaguing Paulson in recent years. Anderson said the latest renovation will fix that issue.
“It was in really bad shape. The biggest problem was the drainage issue that we were having. That drainage issue was causing all kinds of problems, that were going to be more long term problems if we didn’t fix it, sooner than later,” he said. “We were having water bubbling up to the surface and we were having soft spots after rain.”
Austin held its summer workouts at Neveln Elementary School this season and the team may hold a meet or two there early in the season. Once the Paulson project is complete, it will give the team a nice venue to draw in more players.
“I think it’s going to help us recruit quite a bit. Any time you have new facilities, that’s an attraction to the community. It helps get the word out that we’ve got a team and we’re looking for people to play,” Anderson said. “The nice thing about tennis is that everybody plays. If you come out for tennis, you’re going to play and you’re going to travel with the team. We try to match players with opponents who are equal to them so they can improve their game.”
Paulson not only serves as the home court for the Austin Packers, it is also available to the public. Anderson said that he hopes most of his players continue to play after high school.
“Our program is not so much about wins and losses as it is about developing a lifelong skill,” Anderson said. “I’m almost 60 years old and I can still get out there and play. There’s not too many sports that you can do that.”
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