Renovation at The David Dunlap Tennis Complex will be complete in the next several months.

The McMinnville Board of Mayor and Aldermen has voted to name the complex in recognition of David Dunlap. A court will be named after his grandson, Jackson, who passed away at age 14.

“I know some folks have asked for it to be the Jackson Dunlap Memorial Complex and I think that is a wonderful gesture,” said Vice Mayor Ben Newman. “I also feel David Dunlap has put a lot of time, effort and years in getting the tennis program where it is now through the ups and downs.”

A recommendation out of the city’s Parks and Recreation Committee was to name the complex after Jackson.

“I know this is different from what came out of committee,” said Newman. “This seems to be more fitting.”

David Dunlap served as an educator, mentor, and as coach to tennis players in the community for decades. He spent 23 years as coach of the WCHS tennis teams and continues to give tennis lessons and organize tennis tournaments today.

The complex has four courts. Suggested was naming one of those courts after Jackson.

“I’d like to know how the family feels,” said Alderman Steve Harvey. “Either naming the complex after Jackson and a court after David or the complex after David and a court after Jackson.”

David was emotional in addressing the board.

“It’s hard to talk about it,” said David. “Jackson was so loved by everybody. It’s fine if you do it after Jackson or after me. Whatever you want to do. I appreciate the thought. It’s so hard to even talk about Jackson.”

McMinnville Parks and Recreation director Scott McCord stated his belief the complex should be named after David and a court after Jackson.
Alderman Ryle Chastain turned that into a motion which he, Mayor Jimmy Haley, Newman and Aldermen Harvey, Kate Alsbrook, Mike Neal and Everett Brock approved.