The Williston tennis courts project has become more of a reality with the pledge of money and a name.

On Tuesday, the Williston Park Board approved giving $15,000 toward the project and heard two other entities �” American State Bank and Trust Company, and Davidson Cattle Company �” have decided to give $25,000 each.

The project calls for turning the existing four courts at Davidson Park into three regulation-sized courts, adding three regulation-size courts to the east side, shade and water stations between the courts, partial court divider fences, bleachers and walkways, landscaping and trees, according to a brochure handed out at the meeting.

Tennis court redevelopment committee members Frank Keogh and Deb Kemp spoke at the meeting about the project. Kemp said they’ve begun private fundraising and marketing.

Committee members are working with entities such as the school districts and Williston State College Foundation for possible financial support. Park board Chairman Larry Grondahl said he wished the park board could provide more money toward the project, but for now $15,000 is the best it could do. He suggested giving $5,000 before the end of the year and $10,000 in 2009. “We appreciate the commitment from you guys,” Kemp said.

Keogh said thus far there’s been “terrific support” for the project.

“When we started meeting, we could sense the enthusiasm for this project,” Keogh said.

The committee began meeting two months ago.

Keogh requested the revamped tennis courts be named in honor of Tom and Shirley Davidson. The Davidson family has strong ties to the region, and Davidson Park is named in their honor.

The park board agreed and approved naming it the Tom and Shirley Davidson Tennis Complex unless the name isn’t suitable for some reason.

Williston Parks and Recreation Director Darin Krueger is a member of the committee and said the total project may cost somewhere between $175,000-$200,000, with the price of concrete being 50 percent of it.

“Hopefully, we will get a better price when we start bidding,” Krueger said.

If needed, parts of the project such as the shade and water stations can be put on hold until they can be afforded, Krueger added.

“We are going to move forward with this project, even if we have to wait on the bleachers,” Krueger said.

Grondahl said it may be done before the tennis season begins in the fall of 2009.

“I’m pleased with the enthusiasm Parks and Rec has for this project. It’ll be the catalyst for more tennis in Williston,” Keogh said.

In other business the board:

*Heard chaperone volunteers are still needed for the New Year’s Eve Extravaganza on Dec. 30-31, from 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. both nights. The event is for teenagers. For more information, call Williston Parks and Recreation at 577-5141.

*Heard Krueger is looking into different companies to do the park district’s audit. He received a quote of $28,000 from a company in Bismarck and said the price shocked him as he thought it was too high.

Audits need to be done for 2006-2008, he said. Krueger said he’d bring more information to the board in January.

*Heard the outdoor ice rinks may be ready by Christmas. It’s taken a while because the focus of park district employees has been snow removal, Krueger said.

*Heard that from Dec. 20 to Jan. 4, the Raymond Family Community Center is to be open for about eight hours a day for free ice skating.

Several area businesses are donating the necessary funds to make this possible.