Published: May 07, 2007 11:37 pm      

Tennis center hires pro

EBENSBURG — Jamie Taylor of Duncansville, a homegrown tennis expert with 19 years’ experience, is the borough’s new tennis pro for its new tennis center being built at Lake Rowena.

Taylor, who will earn $35,000 plus a percentage of fees for tennis lessons, is a certified instructor of the U.S. Professional Tennis Association.

He will begin working June 1. The $2.5 million Ebensburg Tennis Center under construction is expected to open in August.

“The search committee was very impressed with Jamie’s credentials. He has all the skills we were looking for to grow our new tennis facility into one of the finest in the region,” said borough Manager Dan Penatzer, who announced the hiring Monday.

Taylor has a regional background as director of tennis at ProCare Health & Fitness in Altoona, a tennis professional at the Blair Racquet Club in Altoona and as a tennis coach at St. Francis University in Loretto. He is originally from Canada and has lived in the United States for 17 years.

The Ebensburg center is being financed by the McMahon Family Foundation. World Wrestling Entertainment founder Vince McMahon is the son of Ebensburg resident and tennis buff Vicki Askew.

With its indoor and outdoor court surfaces the same as the Australian and U.S. opens, it is expected to be the premier tennis location in the region, Penatzer said.

“Bringing Jamie on board early will allow him to focus on marketing the new facility and building a membership base,” said borough Council President Deb Nesbella.