First lady Melania Trump announced a renovation to the White House tennis court and Grandchildren’s Garden has been completed.
“It is my hope that this private space will function as both a place of leisure and gathering for future First Families,” Trump said in a statement Monday.
NEW: First lady Melania Trump announces completion of White House tennis pavilion.
“It is my hope that this private space will function as both a place of leisure and gathering for future First Families,” the first lady says. https://t.co/FQV0MupNGd pic.twitter.com/JrvDdk9SA1
— ABC News (@ABC) December 7, 2020
Along with the tennis court, a new building was constructed on the White House grounds adjacent to the renovated court. The project was first conceived in 2018, with approval by the Commission of Fine Arts and National Capital Planning Commission coming in June 2019.
“The building and landscape were planned to blend with the existing structures on the White House grounds,” a press release said.
“Design of the structure was inspired by the existing architecture of the White House, in particular the East and West wings,” it continued. “Elements such as the colonnade, parapet wall, and fanlight windows tie the new building to the existing look and feel of the White House.”
Presidential families have a long history of renovating the White House grounds to include sports and recreation areas for the first family. The tennis court was originally built in 1902 behind the West Wing, then moved to the South Lawn in 1909.
Other notable projects include the Ford administration installing an outdoor pool on the South Lawn in 1975, a jogging track around the south grounds during the Clinton administration, and a putting green with a sand trap built outside the Oval Office during the Eisenhower administration.
Construction of the tennis court building was done in partnership with the Trust for the National Mall and the National Park Service. It was funded by private donations.
“Thank you to all the talented craftsmen who made this project possible and to the generous supporters of the White House,” Trump said.
