Tennis serves up a pretty big economic boost for Rome and local leaders have been talking about creating a tennis complex that could attract major events and bolster local coffers even more.

If a 55-court tennis center idea unveiled this week gets traction, Rome could become a premiere tennis destination with a $20 million-a-year impact, say collaborators.

Berry College hopes to team up with the city, county and community to build a recreational crown jewel for Greater Rome.

College administrators met with local officials to discuss details about the proposed complex that could be constructed on a 23-acre tract of Berry’s river farm property.

The land is part of an 80-acre undeveloped parcel of agriculture and forestry land next to the mall that will be separated from Berry’s other property by the new Armuchee Connector. Work on that road project could start next year.

“The health and vitality of our community and the quality of life here matter deeply to us,” Berry President Stephen R. Briggs said. “So we’re looking for ways to enhance our community.”

He says the college would like to be part of creating something “that would attract people to Rome and improve the area for the people who live here. We also want to create a sense of excitement about the future — to show that Rome is a community that’s on the move.”

He said potential benefits for Rome would include economic development, increased tourism and visibility, higher-caliber tournaments and a first-class facility for recreational players.

“Potential benefits for Berry include increased opportunities for students participating in our work experience program and increased visibility for the college and our athletics program,” Briggs said.

— Courting the dream

Berry had consultants draw up two conceptual designs featuring 49 outer courts around a central core of six championship courts with seating for more than 360 spectators.

Under the proposal, Berry would commit the land to local government through a long-term agreement but would “in principal, like to retain ownership,” Briggs said.

In addition, the college would help operate and manage the facility through its student work program, providing experience for business and sports-related majors while defraying operational costs for the Rome-Floyd Parks and Recreation Authority, which would have oversight of the complex.

“This is the way we need to do things in our town, through partnerships, and I’m very excited that Berry is willing to put this on the table,” Rome Mayor Wright Bagby Jr. said. “It will take a lot of hard work, and a lot of creative work on finances, but it will make us unique in the South.”