The USTA has announced that the University of New Mexico's McKinnon Family Tennis Center, locatred on UNM's South Campus in Albuquerque, is one of 13 winners in its 34th annual USTA Facility Awards Program, which recognizes excellence in the construction and/or renovation of tennis facilities throughout the country.

The McKinnon Family Tennis Stadium is located on UNM's South Campus and is the only facility in the nation honored in the Educational Institution category.

The UNM McKinnon Family Tennis Center will be honored at the USTA Semi-annual Meeting at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York City on Sept. 6.

“Receiving this recognition is a tremendous honor for our program and for our facility,” said Chief Operations Officer Tim Cass, who oversaw the planning and construction of the McKinnon Family Tennis Stadium. “We are thankful for the vision of Ian and Sonnet McKinnon and so many others who participated in supporting this vision that has allowed us to build such a wonderful facility that will help grow the game of tennis."

The streaming infrastructure and park-like landscaping includes signature fencing, logoed court benches, black-out windscreens on the non-spectator side of the courts, generous space at the baseline, and easy access to parking, along with concessions, public restrooms, scoreboards, and sound system—all making the McKinnon Family Tennis Stadium an ideal place to play—and watch—matches. In addition, the stadium lighting allows the flexibility to schedule dual matches and tournaments.

“Great tennis facilities like the McKinnon Family Tennis Center help us to grow the game at the grass-roots level, and we are proud to recognize them for their ongoing impact on the sport of tennis,” said Kurt Kamperman, chief executive, Community Tennis, USTA. “The McKinnon Family Tennis Center has embraced many of our tennis initiatives and kept the sport at the forefront of their community each year.”

To be considered for an award, facilities must be under the jurisdiction of a parks and recreation department, an educational institution, a non-profit corporation, or be a private or commercially owned and operated facility that offer both USTA and public programming designed to help grow tennis.

Facilities were judged upon the following criteria: overall layout and adaptation to site; excellence of court surface and lights; ease of maintenance; accommodations for players, spectators and press/officials; aesthetics; graphics (including the use of signs and landscaping); amenities such as casual seating for spectators, food services and social areas; and the facilities’ participation in USTA programs.

Nominated facilities were voted upon in the following categories: Public Courts that are either small tennis centers with 2-10 courts or large tennis centers with 11 or more courts; Educational Institutions; and Private Facilities that support the USTA and other “growth of the game” programs open to the public.

All 2015 award winners will receive a wall plaque and an all-weather sign, which can be mounted at the facility. Certificates of award will be made available to park and recreation departments, schools, and those professionals responsible for the design, construction, and maintenance of the facility. In addition, a one-year complimentary membership to the USTA will be awarded to each winning facility.

The USTA is the national governing body for the sport of tennis in the U.S. and the leader in promoting and developing the growth of tennis at every level -- from local communities to the highest level of the professional game.