TRYON – The Town of Tryon is closing in on fixing the tennis courts at Harmon Field, which were damaged more than four months ago after a truck crashed through them.

Tryon commissioners met Oct. 18 and discussed bids for asphalt, including one option for approximately $40,000 and another for approximately $20,000. The $40,000 bid is to completely repave the two damaged courts including two inches of asphalt. The $20,000 bid is to patch the current cracks and resurface the two damaged courts. Either option will leave two courts the same with the flex court surface.

Tryon Town Manager Zach Ollis told commissioners that with the trees where they currently are near the courts, whatever the town does it will see something structurally wrong within 3-5 years. Ollis said by completely repaving the courts he thinks no matter what they put down underneath the courts will continue to shift.

Ollis said the resurfacing company can come in and patch the cracks and resurface the courts, which should last for 2-5 years.

Ollis said that option is significantly cheaper and money left over from insurance can be used for new things at Harmon Field.

Ollis said he is taking the options to the Harmon Field Board of Supervisors to get approval.

“This is unfortunate because we’re never going to get back what it cost to fix it with all the insurance companies,” said Tryon Mayor Alan Peoples.

The wreck through the tennis courts occurred during the Blue Ridge Barbecue and Music Festival, which is held at Harmon Field in June. The town negotiated with four different insurance companies before coming up with a settlement, including the driver’s insurance, the company that owned the truck, the barbecue festival’s and the town’s.

Ollis said he has met with Harmon Field Supervisor Travis Aldred and whatever is done at the courts will be a band-aid. Ollis said if the town wants to tear out the courts and completely rebuild them, he’d prefer it be done away from the trees.

“We’re trying to get the best possible outcome with the least amount of money spent,” Ollis said. “If we get two years out of them it could give us time to think and time to breathe. In my opinion, they need to be away from those trees.”

Peoples said if there’s money left over, the town should set some aside towards moving the courts.

The town will make a final decision and move towards approving a bid and beginning construction after hearing from the Harmon Field Board of Supervisors, which meets the first Tuesday of the month.