Troy Park Advocate Wins Award from U.S. Tennis Association

The U.S. Tennis Association (USTA) of Maryland recently recognized the man working to make Troy Park a reality in Elkridge.

Art Tollick, president of the nonprofit group Howard County Tennis Patrons, received the USTA Maryland’s “Special Service Award” at the organization’s annual meeting on Oct. 15 in Annapolis.

"The development of a tennis facility which has become the Troy Park project was initiated by USTA Maryland nearly 10 years ago and championed by Art and the Howard County Tennis Patrons for at least the last five years," said Lynn Coddington, executive director of the USTA's Maryland division, in an email to Patch.

Troy Park, as envisioned by the Howard County Tennis Patrons, is a project in the planning phases encompassing 106 acres north of MD 100 off Route 1, land that is owned by the county. The tennis group has leased 14 acres for an 8,000-seat stadium and 30 courts.

The Howard County Tennis Patrons have raised approximately $1 million so far for the project, which it hopes would eventually be a regional park.

Coddington said that Tollick's "unswerving dedication to the project is deserving of this special recognition."

At the Oct. 15 annual meeting, Tollick received a plaque for his service.

"It was a great honor for me and the [Howard County Tennis Patrons] board," said Tollick. "Scores of people have devoted hundreds of hours to make the Troy Park Tennis and Sports Center a reality."

According to Coddington, USTA Maryland solicits nominations for the awards from its membership of 14,500 individuals and nearly 200 organizations.

“Art quit his job and has dedicated his days to making the Troy Park tennis facility in eastern Howard County come to fruition,” said the USTA Maryland on its website, in the awards section, which explained in brief why recipients were selected.

Tollick that he was on a leave of absence from his job in the insurance industry to move the project forward.

More recently, he informed Patch that he took it a step further.

“I decided to retire in August 2011,” said Tollick, in an email on Oct. 17. “While it has been a financial strain, I feel I am extremely lucky to be doing something I love and which is important to my community. My family has been incredibly supportive.”

Howard County, which would be responsible for the space outside the tennis area, is currently investigating the economic viability of the project.

In June, the county executive  to study the economics of the endeavor.

With a report expected from the stadium authority by the end of the year, the Howard County Tennis Patrons have not taken a break between sets.

"We are researching best practices at other facilities around the country and are continuing to seek potential donors and sponsors," said Tollick.

“I feel we are in the final stages, and the county will see how great this will be for economic development in the area,” said Tollick.

“A tennis stadium located in a public park with easy access to I-95 could be a tremendous magnet for events of all kinds and generate sports tourism dollars," he continued. "Troy Park will be much more than just a tennis center, but with a stadium and public plaza, [it will be] a needed event space that will grow and improve the Route 1 Corridor, Howard County and the surrounding region."