An international tennis tournament is returning to Fort Saskatchewan this summer.
The Mesa Tennis Tournament, which has roots in the community, will set up shop in the Fort in mid-July.
"It started in Fort Saskatchewan with a small group of about 24 people as a put-together thing and from there it grew," said Raymond Courchesne, an organizer of the Mesa Regal Tennis Group.
The tournament has not been able to be hosted over the last three years due to COVID, and it is likely that this one will be the last.
A crowd of about 185 people is expected to watch the tournament at the Carscadden and Turner Park tennis facilities between July 11 and 14.
80 athletes from across Canada and the United States will be competing at the event.
Hosts of previous tournaments include Canmore, Kelowna, Calgary, Leduc, Moose Jaw, and Red Deer. This year's tournament brings the tournament back to its beginning.
"It's a homecoming for the closing of [the tournament]."
To help support the tournament, the city has provided them with a $1,200 tourism hosting grant.
"The grant is going to go toward the tour and also to rent bleachers, a sitting area, and picnic tables," said Courchesne.
The grant provided by the city is meant to promote and encourage the development of local cultural, recreational, artistic, or social events to help drive tourism and enhance Fort Saskatchewan's reputation.
To apply for this grant, click here.