A lifelong tennis fanatic Gordon was needing a associate to play doubles one late spring day. In 1982. Associates John and Dorothy Keffer contacted Barb to fill in and the remaining, as they are saying, is historical past.

“Issues simply clicked,” mentioned Barb. “Tennis was a sport we each loved and we discovered this widespread curiosity led to extra and deeper conversations.”

It didn’t take Gordon lengthy to resolve she was the one and by fall they had been engaged and had been married earlier than the top of 1982. “For 40 years tennis has been part of our lives and we wouldn’t have it some other means,” mentioned the couple.

Which is why they’ve chosen to help the Lexington Racquetball Complicated with a donation. A religious Christian, Gordon notes he tries to stay by instance. Provides Barb, “We wished to be part of this.”

The $2.four million 29,000-square foot advanced will likely be in-built Plum Creek Park. The town is paying for half of the construction, $600,000 is coming from a state grant, and the remaining $600,000 by way of fundraising by the tennis committee.

“Our sports activities services in Lexington are fantastic,” famous Gordon. “The brand new indoor facility being devoted solely to racquet sports activities will likely be an enormous recruiting issue for attracting younger professionals and retaining them right here.”

The courts may also accommodate different racquet sports activities akin to pickle ball, as plans are to line all of the courts for that sport, which is rising in recognition, famous the Hinrichs.

Hinrichs not solely enjoys taking part in tennis, he has spent 28 years as a volunteer coach for Lexington’s youth tennis applications together with serving as an assistant coach at the highschool. “I like the camaraderie with the scholars and the flexibility to mentor,” he mentioned.

He has performed everywhere in the nation together with meets in Missouri, Texas, New Mexico, Alabama, Ohio and naturally, Nebraska. He’s wanting ahead to qualifying for some Senior Video games competitions sooner or later.

“We’ve got met individuals from throughout by way of tennis. It has been an incredible journey,” mentioned Barb.

The lifetime friendships are wide-ranging, however many are near dwelling. Lexingtonite Jim Hain has been Gordon’s doubles associate for 30 years.

“It’s a household,” mentioned Barb.

The Hinrichs look ahead to the beginning of development someday in 2023 and when it’s full rising that tennis household some extra.