Downtown Club at the Met–A Total Transformation

While traffic swirls along the Pierce Elevated freeway and the downtown streets below, a virtual “country club” operates on the sixth floor of the Allen Center parking garage.

The Downtown Club at the Met, although physically somewhat “hidden” from view, has been an integral part of Houston’s tennis community since 1976. The United States Tennis Association recently recognized its outstanding contributions by naming the club the USTA 2017 Organization of the Year.  Tennis Director Keith Christman picked up the award for the club at the USTA annual meeting and conference in California last March.

For decades the Met has supported the USTA mission of growing the game by offering programming for collegiate level tennis, alumni and special needs groups, leagues, juniors, seniors, local schools and charities.

 “Christman and his staff have been remarkable in promoting and developing tennis for the good of the game, offering play opportunities for all ages and abilities,” said Craig Morris, USTA chief executive of community tennis. “The Met is an outstanding local tennis organization that focuses on community engagement through grassroots programming.”

The Met has played host to many tennis events including professional, national adult 70 and 75 men’s indoor tennis championships, national father and son, NCAA National Indoors, USTA Women’s $10,000 tournaments and local junior and high school events.

The club helps with collegiate events and has hosted the NCAA Indoor Championships in partnership with Texas A&M University.   Elizabeth Schmidt, head coach of the Rice University women’s team, reports that the Met often comes through with courts when rain interrupts the team’s dual matches.

Physical attributes of the air-conditioned indoor club include 10 tennis courts, fitness facilities, dining amenities, squash and racquetball courts, a basketball court, conference rooms with business amenities, a spa and access to personal trainers. As part of the ClubCorp chain, Met members have access to affiliate clubs with golf courses.

The club continues to meet the demands of today’s health and fitness lifestyles and recently completed $7 million in renovations—resurfacing the courts, upgrading the lighting, modernizing the lobby, dining and conference room facilities and the men’s and women’s locker rooms.