Facility Information
Phone: 217-352-6044
Email: ryan.hays@champaignparks.org
Facility Hours*:
- Monday/Wednesday/Friday: 7:15am-10:00pm
- Tuesday/Thursday: 7:15am-11:30am and 3:15pm-10:00pm
- Saturday/Sunday: 8:30am-5:30pm
Dodds Tennis Center Fall Opening: Monday, September 11, 2023
*Dodds Tennis Center will be closed November 23-24, 2023, December 24-25, 2023, and January 1, 2024.
The Dodds Tennis Center features six indoor courts, locker rooms with showers and towel service, a Wilson Pro Shop, great staff, and a vast array of programs including lessons, drill & plays, and workouts. Our programming covers a wide range of ages and skill levels from young children to seniors, experienced players to those who’ve never held a racquet.
Membership | 2023-2024
Join the Dodds Tennis Center as a member and you’ll enjoy reduced rates on all programs and activities including random court time, private lessons and drills & plays. Members also receive discounts on ball machine use and racquet stringing as well as discounts on Wilson merchandise. Members also have the option to purchase permanent court time. Resident youth participants may submit applications for membership scholarships through the Park District administrative office (217-398-2550).
Program Registration
The expert tennis instructors at the Dodds Tennis Center offer a variety of programs and leagues for all ages and all ability levels. There’s something to fit nearly every schedule, budget, and skill level.
Wondering what program(s) are right for you or your family? Please don’t hesitate to contact us! Our Head Tennis Pro, Yuri Sohn, is happy to give expert tennis advice via email at Yuri.Sohn@champaignparks.org, phone (217-819-3993), or by appointment.
Other Ways to Play
Please see the Tennis section of our current program guide for dates, times, pricing, and more information.>>
Permanent Court Time (only available to members): Permanent court time allows Dodds Tennis Center members to permanently reserve one or multiple courts for one or multiple hours on a set day and time for 18 weeks at a time.
If you are interested in securing Dodds Tennis Center Permanent Court Time, please complete the following application by December 8, 2023.
Random Court Time (available to members and guests): Court time is available throughout the day, depending on the schedule of other tennis programs. Reservations are required. Members may reserve courts up to one week in advance, guests may make reservations one day prior.
Drill & Plays: Available by appointment. All levels welcome. You may arrange your own group or request to be placed in a group based on your interest, goals, and level of play, as well as your personal schedule.
Private Lessons: Private lessons are available by appointment (must be scheduled at least 48 hours in advance). Players may request to have a lesson on specific strokes, game play, a particular skill, or a combination of items.
Tournament Training: For those who have achieved a high level of consistency with most or all strokes and aspire to play varsity high school tennis and/or USTA tournaments. This clinic is by pro evaluation. Sign up for 1-3 days per week for discounts.
Workouts, Clinics, & Other Drop-in Programs: In addition to private and group lessons, we also offer clinics for children, adults, and seniors playing at beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels; Lunch Club Workouts; Ladies Days; Late Night Workouts; Saturday Morning Workouts; Recreational Doubles; and Drop-in Stroke Clinics – there’s something for everyone at the Dodds Tennis Center!
What Level of Play Do I Sign Up For?
Wondering about your skill level? We recommend that you review the United States Tennis Association (USTA) National Tennis Rating Program to help choose the skill level that’s right for you. For a simple ratings chart, please see the Tennis section of our current Program Guide.
Sales & Service
The Dodds Tennis Center Pro Shop is an exclusive Wilson distributor – visit us for great deals on Wilson merchandise! We also offer racquet stringing, Wilson demo racquet rentals, ball hopper and ball cart rentals, and Wilson tennis balls for sale. For pricing and other information, please see the Tennis section of our current Program Guide.
Outdoor Tennis
The Champaign Park District maintains both lighted and unlighted outdoor tennis courts in a variety of park locations. Click this link to find an Outdoor Tennis Court near you. >>
History
- From 1991 – 1994 the Champaign Park District leased the building from the Racquet Club.
- The Park District purchased the facility, named the Tennis Center, for $575,000 after the lease period ended.
- In 2013 the facility was renamed the Newt Dodds Tennis Center to honor Park District Commissioner Newt Dodds for his 38 years of service on the Park Board.
