Tennis courts have been sidelined at Charlotte apartments (but the sport has never been stronger)

Tennis courts were a coveted amenity in the 1970s and 1980s. But they’ve become viewed as outdated sometime over the last 10 to 15 years, industry leaders say.

Now apartment communities built during this time period are starting to be redeveloped — and the tennis courts are going the way of an errant serve.

In their place are the dog parks, fire pits, landscaped courtyards and outdoor kitchens that today’s young professionals appear to desire more.

The disappearance of tennis courts also raises an interesting question: 20 years from now, what must-have amenity at Charlotte apartments today will see hopelessly outdated? And what will stand the test of time?

[Agenda story: The 55 craziest amenities Charlotte apartments have to offer and where to find them]

Mercury NoDa

The list of Charlotte apartment communities who still maintain their tennis courts is short.

And it’s getting shorter as older complexes go through redevelopment.

The tennis courts at the Pinehurst on Providence apartments were torn down to make way for a retention pond as Northwood Ravin redevelops the property. There is a new dog park, however.

Next door, the most recent site plans for the redeveloped Carmel on Providence apartments don’t include space to rebuild a tennis court. Same thing at The Colony Apartments in SouthPark.

Numerous others have fallen into disrepair over the decades since they were built and are being repurposed.

Satellite image via Google Earth

One of the few apartment buildings built in the last decade to feature them? Skyhouse. Their SkyPark has a rooftop tennis court.

Why are they so rare? Young professionals don’t seem to value them.

It’s not just that space is at more of a premium in apartment developments around urban areas.

Tennis facilities don’t even register on apartment industry lists of most popular amenities, or amenities that drive higher rents.

They also are costly to maintain. The industry publication Property Management Insider even offers a guide on how to create “functional outdoor spaces from outdated tennis courts.”

Fitness centers and jogging paths are much more valuable wellness-related offerings, according to the National Apartment Association. Pet-centric things like dog parks and washing stations also provide more bang for the buck.

Steam rooms, yoga studios and golf simulators also rank highly, according to research from J Turner on the “next-gen apartment.” While swimming pools still are a must, outdoor areas are shifting to fire pits and landscaped gardens.

But don’t count out tennis as a popular sport in Charlotte — it may never have been more popular.

“Charlotte tennis is thriving,” said Allen Gowin, the head pro of Charlotte City Tennis. He said the city’s tennis scene had largely been confined to private venues like country clubs and neighborhood swim and racquet clubs, but has lately expanded into more public facilities.

That’s where Charlotte City Tennis focuses its work — on instructional and league play at public parks like Freedom Park, Park Road Park and the Jeff Adams Tennis Center. Gowin said Charlotte City Tennis instructional programs have regularly sold out, and walk-up play has been strong. There’s a wait list to play at public parks most nights, he said.

One thing holding Charlotte tennis back, though, is the lack of a flagship public tennis facility like Cary Tennis Park or Rock Hill Tennis Center.

“Now that we’ve shown there is a huge demand, we need the powers that be to get on board and give the public a facility that matches this growth,” he said.

Photo by Charlotte City Tennis via Facebook

Carla O’Connor, executive director of the Charlotte Tennis Association, said her organization has had strong growth in both youth and adult programs.

Last year, there were more than 10,000 people registered in local U.S. Tennis Association adult leagues — up about 13 percent over the past five years. The number of teams has grown at twice that rate at private venues, she said.

Children’s leagues are growing, too, she said. They use smaller equipment and play on smaller courts, and between 80 and 100 teams are registered each year.

“While some might like the convenience of stepping out of their apartments to play, we have definitely seen a trend in favor of larger facilities where there is robust programming, lots of activity and social interaction,” O’Connor said.

As today’s apartments, what will seem outdated?

Two decades ago, apartment tennis courts were gleaming and new. What amenities being built today will feel aged in another 20 years?

Swimming pools will likely continue to stand the test of time. Fitness centers can also easily be updated with new equipment. But will yoga rooms be repurposed for the next generation? Will dog parks seem antique?