An aerial photograph of eight blue tennis courts with a paved seating area on one side and shaded benches in between the fenced-in courts.

An aerial photograph of a turf athletic field lit up at night with bleachers on the far side.

Rush-Henrietta Central School District – Athletic Complex Redevelopment

From Fix to Transformation—An Overhaul of Sperry High School’s Sports Facilities

When the need for improvements to Sperry High School’s athletic facilities became evident, the Rush-Henrietta Central School District (CSD) recognized an opportunity to reinvent the entire complex.

Located in Henrietta, New York, the high school’s athletic facilities faced multiple challenges. The tennis courts were cracked, weathered, and unplayable. Drainage issues during early spring and late fall limited use of natural grass playing fields. Vehicular traffic frequently backed up into the public right-of-way. The maintenance team lacked appropriate equipment and supply storage.

Rather than address the issues with separate solutions, the district launched a comprehensive effort to reimagine what a complete facility overhaul could offer to athletes, students, and the broader community.

LaBella teamed with Rush-Henrietta CSD to thoughtfully master plan the entire athletic complex. The tennis courts were relocated to take advantage of underutilized space, and a multi-purpose turf stadium with a restroom and concession building was added to improve field playability. A new road connection to E. Henrietta Road alleviated traffic congestion, and a new grounds building improved on-site storage for the facilities team. Collectively, these improvements create a cohesive, functional, and modern athletic campus.

Today, the Sperry High School athletic complex is not only a resource for Rush-Henrietta CSD’s student-athletes but is also open for public use—an aspect of the project that has been met with enthusiastic community support.

Changing Course

Beneath the surface, the site presented several challenges that required creative engineering solutions. Native soils had fine-grained characteristics that severely limited natural infiltration. The facilities were elevated slightly, and existing stormwater infrastructure was rerouted to resolve the issue and ensure long-term functionality. A new storm culvert was designed to avoid disruption to a nearby federally protected wetland. Lawn slopes were contoured to maintain grades that could be safely mowed.

Beyond the functional facility design, the site was developed with intentional community spaces for gathering and spectating. A decorative concrete plaza serves as a welcoming hub, featuring picnic tables, shade structures, benches, and a seat-wall with an accent planter.

Accessibility and inclusivity were key priorities throughout the design. Walkways, plazas, and seating areas were constructed with ADA standards in mind, inviting the entire community to enjoy the new complex.

A photograph of the side of a building in the evening with the letters HR lit up.

An aerial photograph of two blue tennis courts

An aerial photograph of a multi-use turf field stadium.

An aerial photograph of eight blue tennis courts — Eight vibrant blue courts are set within green borders, offering clear sightlines and high-performance surfaces for both competitive and recreational play.

A photograph of a blue tennis court with additional lines for a pickleball court — With pickleball’s growing popularity, two of the courts were striped to accommodate both sports, creating flexibility and inviting more community members to use the space.

A photograph of a concrete plaza with seating walls and picnic tables. Athletic fields are in the background. — A decorative concrete plaza featuring picnic tables and a seating wall welcomes athletes and spectators.

A photograph of a shade structure above a bench next to a fenced-in tennis court. — Two pre-engineered shade structures, complete with benches, provide comfortable, shaded seating during practices and matches. Positioned between the two sets of courts, these structures maximize visibility while encouraging engagement from teammates and fans.

A photograph of a turf athletic field with a football goal post, painted end zone, and concession building in the background. — A multi-purpose turf stadium was added to improve drainage and field playability during early spring and late fall.

A photograph of a grounds building with two garage doors. — A new grounds building has improved on-site storage for the facilities team.

An Award-Winning Project

Rush-Henrietta Sperry High School Tennis Facility Honored With 2025 ASBA Outdoor Tennis Facility of the Year Award

In December 2025, the Rush-Henrietta Central School District and LaBella Associates received the 2025 Outdoor Tennis Facility of the Year Award from the American Sports Builders Association at its Technical Meeting and Trade Show in San Antonio, Texas. This award recognizes facilities that support ASBA’s goal of promoting excellence in sports facility construction and design.