Washington’s City Council wants more estimates regarding possible repairs to the city-owned tennis courts at Bug House Park before making a decision on the future of those courts.

The tennis courts were discussed during the council’s meeting earlier this week. The council also said it would like the city’s Recreation Advisory Committee to make recommendations regarding tennis courts in the city.

Flood events over the years have damaged the courts, according to city officials. A memorandum from Kristi Roberson, the director of the city’s parks and recreation division, said it is in the city’s best interest to remove all fencing, lighting and court surfaces at Bug House Park and relocate them at an estimated cost of $6,500 to remove the items and an estimated cost of $58,000 to relocate them to a higher elevation at the park or somewhere else in the city.

Some council members indicated building tennis courts at the existing McConnell Sports Complex or another location might be an option. Councilman Larry Beeman supports building the tennis courts at the sports complex.

The estimated cost to resurface the courts at Bug House Park is $11,000. Resurfacing the courts is not recommended because doing so would not repair the flood-prone courts in a manner to keep them safe and playable, according to the memorandum. The estimated cost of an asphalt overlay to help stabilize the courts is $30,100. Because the existing surface and base have major structural cracking, that option is not recommended by city staff.

The city received estimates for the proposals from Outer Banks Tennis Contractors. The council wants estimates from at least one or two other contractors able to do such work.

Council members said Washington has tennis history worth preserving. Councilman Doug Mercer said he recalls playing tennis on the Bug House Park courts in the early 1950s when he lived in that area. Councilman Bobby Roberson said “it’s a shame that the courts deteriorated to that point.” Roberson said he’s open to suggestions regarding the tennis courts.

“To me, I would hate to see us just bulldoze the tennis courts without having nothing else inside the city. So, if we take these tennis courts out, where will we play tennis?” Roberson said. “That’s the question I have. Are we going to do away with tennis?”