Camas tennis facility awaits building permit

With vehicles driving on the new 38th Avenue, Caryn and Clark Vitek cannot wait to plant their seeds and watch them grow into the Evergreen Tennis Facility.

“It’s the gateway corridor from East Vancouver to Camas,” Caryn said. “We’re looking forward to having great visibility on that new road.”

Four indoor courts will be constructed on 2.28 acres of land at 5225 N.W. 38th Ave., next to Fisher Investments, in Camas. These courts will come with two glass cargo doors at each end of the facility, and a translucent ceiling to capture natural light.

“Tennis players like to play outside. If we could, we would play outside all year long,” Clark said. “Unfortunately, we don’t live in that type of environment. This is the best concept we could come up with to emulate that natural light experience.”

The site plan has been approved. It includes a paved parking lot and room to build two more courts in the future.

The Viteks are in the process of submitting for a building permit. Caryn hopes construction will be complete in time for the doors to open by the end of summer.

“It’s the perfect time for people returning to the area from vacation and looking for some indoor activities,” she said.

Camas and Washougal high school tennis players and coaches are looking forward to a warmer and dryer alternative.

Rain washed out practices on Wednesday and Thursday, and hail pounded the area on Monday. The Panthers and Papermakers had to hit tennis balls indoors or find time to practice at Club Green Meadows, which is about 15 miles away from Camas and 20 from Washougal.

“We are going to be a really convenient option for East Clark County,” Caryn said.