Tennis Court Maintenance

The Greater Eagle River Tennis Association, Inc. (GERTA), is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.  Its members and friends come from Vilas, surrounding counties, and summer vacationers. GERTA is responsible for the maintenance of the four public tennis courts in Eagle River next to the County Fairgrounds.

The courts were built in 1975; two of the courts were resurfaced some years ago, and two were overlaid with an Interlocking plastic tile grid system to improve the playing surface. The life expectancy of a hard-court surface is about 25 years, and so the aging under-structure of the entire court area needed to be reconstructed.

GERTA has been operating under a 25-year lease on the tennis courts set to expire at the end of 2021, but on October 27, 2020, the Vilas County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution to Quit Claim the Tennis Court Parcel to the Greater Eagle River Tennis Association (GERTA).  With the Quit Claim in GERTA’s name, we have the assurance that any long-term improvements and investments made into the tennis courts will be a lasting investment with no fear of the tennis courts being taken for other purposes.

GERTA’s agreement with the County under the previous lease was that GERTA would maintain the courts.  Now that the parcel of property is in GERTA’s name, the tennis organization will continue to be responsible for the maintenance of the courts.

All members of the public may use the courts.  There is a donation box located at the courts to help defray costs. Lights for night use are available through a coin-operated  power source.   When GERTA-sponsored events are scheduled (a Calendar is posted), those events take priority for court usage over public usage.

Having good public courts available is positive for tourism county-wide, real estate values improve and additional people are brought into the central area of Eagle River.

Absolutely!  GERTA has traditionally held an annual Youth Tennis Camp to work with children and youth in tennis instruction and basic skills.  The Youth Tennis Camp is held in June.

The courts are reconstructed and finished, but there are still miscellaneous maintenance items that cost money.  If you would like to donate, you still can!

You may write a check to “GERTA Maintenance Fund” and mail it to GERTA, P.O. Box 1714, Eagle River, WI 54521.  For other questions, please contact GERTA at greatereaglerivertennis@gmail.com 

Yes, absolutely.  GERTA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization.  A letter for your tax records will be sent to you upon receipt of your donation so that you may report this gift on your tax returns.

Write for information or a personal contact to greatereaglerivertennis@gmail.com.