Upgrades to the Riverdale Tennis courts in St. John’s for the 2025 Canada Summer Games will reap far-reaching benefits for athletes and the sport.

That’s according to enthusiast and Tennis NL board member Nancy Taylor.

Three of Riverdale’s six courts have been dug up and will be brought to the same level as the other three courts.

Taylor says the nearly 100-year-old facility was in need of a facelift. She’s hoping the work will be completed by July.

She says improving the infrastructure for a sport that’s becoming increasingly popular is important.

She says the maintenance and upgrading of facilities comes at ‘humongous cost’ and the current work at Riverdale, as well as that taking place at the Green Belt Tennis Club, will go a long way in keeping the sport growing.

Meanwhile, one of the world’s most prestigious sport trophies is going to be on display in St. John’s.

Canada won the Davis Cup last year for the first time ever, coming out on top of the tennis world in a battle involving 140 nations.

The trophy will be at The Rooms as part of a cross-country celebration by Tennis Canada.

Taylor says it’s a very exciting time. She says the cup is approximately 230 pounds and more than a metre tall.

A welcoming ceremony is set for 1:00 p.m. Thursday.