TRYON-The tennis courts at Harmon Field will be replaced with all flex courts after a car accident caused major damage in June.

Tryon Town Council met Tuesday, Nov. 15 and heard from town manager Zach Ollis, who said the Harmon Field Board of Supervisors decided to replace the courts with flex courts.

Ollis told council the Harmon Field board wanted to replace what was originally there. Ollis also said replacing with flex courts will take all the insurance money. He thanked Harmon Field Supervisor Travis Aldred for all his work to get the courts replaced.

The town recently discussed replacing half the courts with flex courts and others with asphalt. There are four tennis courts at Harmon Field. Commissioners also discussed the need in the future for the courts to be moved away from the trees.

The town struggled for months over insurance because the accident occurred during the Blue Ridge Barbecue and Music Festival, so there were four insurance companies involved in the claim. A man from Charlotte ran through the courts the first day of the June festival and damaged the courts, the fencing, nets, benches, a radar sign and a soccer goal. He was charged with driving while impaired, according to the N.C. Highway Patrol which investigated the accident.

Ollis said the town received approximately $57,000 from its insurance company.

One flex court remains at the tennis courts and that one will remain with three new flex courts installed as soon as possible. The money will also cover repairs to the fencing, the soccer goal, tennis nets and welding. Town crews will repair the benches and the town has already replaced the radar sign.

The one court is currently open for play. It is not known exactly when work will begin replacing the courts.