Contributing Writer

Gorham youth wasted no time in putting the revitalized tennis courts at Gorham High School to good use. Through Gorham Parks and Recreation, and in collaboration with the Gorham High School tennis program, 31 Gorham elementary-aged youth enjoyed a week-long tennis camp on the new courts at GHS.

The students spent each morning during the week of Aug. 11 learning and improving the fundamental tennis skills of serving, scoring, stance and strokes. But, says Coach Steve Chabot, what they really got was an opportunity to interact with eight outstanding high school students/tennis players who all volunteered their time.

“My favorite thing about Gorham is how all the programs do such a great job connecting elementary kids with the high schoolers,” said Chabot, also a Gorham resident. “This approach embodies the adage, ‘You have to see it, to be it,’ and it clearly benefits both the ‘littles’ and the ‘bigs’.”

As for the facilities where the camp was held, “The improvements to the courts have sparked a resurgence in tennis interest for all ages in Gorham,” says Cindy Hazelton, director of Gorham Parks and Recreation Department. “As the sole ‘tennis only’ court in Gorham, the teams of GMS, GHS, and USM, along with a whole host of tennis enthusiasts in our community now have a fantastic dedicated space to enjoy.”

The old courts had outlived their safe use, however a bond request to move and replace the courts was rejected by Gorham voters last November. Recognizing the popularity of the sport for residents of all ages, staff from the school department, local companies and multiple town departments worked together to rehabilitate the previous site of the tennis courts on the Gorham High School campus.