What started nearly a century ago as a handful of high school players with wooden rackets has now evolved into a full-fledged community celebration. On July 26, Grand Junction High School officially opened its new tennis complex — six modern courts and a monument to generations of athletes who helped build the school’s tennis legacy since 1927.

And it wasn’t just students and staff in attendance. Alumni, coaches, families, and supporters filled the space, rackets in hand and memories in tow, to celebrate something that’s been decades in the making.

Six Courts, Countless Memories

The new tennis facility is sleek, wide open, and designed for serious play — but it’s more than just courts and nets. For GJHS, it’s a commitment to the future of a sport that’s deeply rooted in its past.

“These courts aren’t just for the next match. They’re for the next generation,” said Carol Wilder, the longtime boys’ tennis coach who’s been with the program for more than 30 years. “I’ve seen kids come in as freshmen who could barely swing a racket, and four years later, they’re qualifying for state.”

Now, they’ll have six pristine courts to call home.

The ribbon-cutting was symbolic — but what came after said more. Dozens of former players, coaches, and current students drilled, rallied, and played point after point as the sun dipped low over Grand Junction.

A Monument to the Players Who Came Before

At the facility’s entrance stands a brand-new monument — not towering or flashy, but full of names. It’s a testament to decades of tennis players who left their mark on the court and the school.

The concept is simple: any former or current GJHS player can have their name engraved on the monument by contributing to the fundraising effort. It’s part of the broader initiative to maintain the courts and invest in future improvements.

For Coach Wilder, that monument means everything.

“That monument is incredible,” she said. “A lot of my kids are on that — kids I coached 20 years ago, some even 30. Seeing those names, it’s like walking through time.”

And the plan is to keep adding more names every June.

One short sentence: it’s a growing story.

More Than a Sports Facility — A Community Hub

This wasn’t just a school event.

Families showed up with toddlers and grandparents. Local businesses donated refreshments. The mayor’s office even sent a representative.

There was a sense of pride, of place — of belonging.

Here’s what the event included:

• Live tennis drills and open court play for all ages

• Unveiling ceremony of the monument

• Alumni meet-and-greet under the pavilion

• Guided tour of the new facility

• Fundraising table for future facility upgrades

And yes, there were plenty of hugs, handshakes, and teary moments, especially around the monument.

Coach Wilder joked, “I’ve never seen so many grown men cry next to a slab of granite.”

Nearly a Century of Tiger Tennis

Founded in 1927, Grand Junction High School’s tennis program has quietly built one of the most consistent legacies in Western Colorado athletics. While it doesn’t always grab headlines, the program has produced state qualifiers year after year — and a long line of coaches and captains who stayed involved even after graduation.

To understand the timeline, it helps to look at the key milestones:

For many in attendance, the ceremony wasn’t just a look back — it was a nod to the future.

A Volunteer-Led Effort With Big Impact

The entire project — from design to fundraising to the actual opening — has been largely community-driven.

Coach Wilder emphasized that this wasn’t a district-funded vanity project. “We raised the money. Alumni pitched in. Parents volunteered. This was built from love and sweat, not some big budget.”

That includes the monument, which was carved and installed locally with the help of community partners.

All proceeds from the monument donations go directly into upkeep and future facility needs — nets, lighting, resurfacing, equipment.

One sentence: no dollar is wasted here.

Looking Ahead — And Looking Around

With the courts now open, GJHS plans to host its first home matches on them this fall. There are also early talks about using the facility to host regional tournaments, summer youth camps, and even open public play hours in the offseason.

For now, though, it’s about enjoying the win.

“I’ve coached all over this state, but this — this is special,” Wilder said, waving to a young player trying her first serve on Court Three. “We’re building something that lasts.”