Scalzi Park is Stamford's largest recreational area. There are baseball and softball fields, basketball and volleyball courts, running and hiking trails, a playground and a bocce ball arena. But one of the most popular places there may be the tennis courts.

“They're busy all the time. I mean, there's always people, especially in the summertime and spring,” said Lou Kakaletris, who walks 4 miles at the park several times a week.

Now, those courts are getting a facelift. Construction began Oct. 1 on the Scalzi Park Tennis Court Reconstruction Project with the old courts getting demolished.

“We are going to be building ten new tennis courts, six pickleball courts and new fencing, lighting, drainage and high-quality amenities for Stamford residents,” said Mayor Caroline Simmons.

Simmons told News 12 the courts hadn’t seen any improvements since 2005.

“Unfortunately, over the years, they had come into a state of disrepair. And I heard from so many residents who love these courts but want to see them fixed because they were unsafe,” Simmons explained, adding that all courts will meet modern tennis and pickleball standards.

The renovations cost $2.6 million, money that Stamford specifically set aside in the capital budget to fix the courts, according to Simmons.

“I played tennis there and pickleball there. They were very outdated,” Eleanor Casale, of Stamford, told News 12, saying she'll definitely be out there when the new courts open.

“It's about time. This is great,” Kakaletris said.

Construction began Oct. 1 with the goal of having players back out there in the spring, according to Simmons.

“I can't wait to see when the tennis courts are done,” said Diane DiNapoli, of Stamford, who walks in the park a couple times a week with her friend, Jackie Bertram.

“We don’t play tennis, but we love what they’re doing,” Bertram added.

Simmons said one of her priorities is investing in the city’s infrastructure, including its parks, beaches and marinas.