History

Payne Park Tennis Center was established in 1993. The current location is actually a relocated tennis complex that was opened in 1938 by the City of Sarasota that was situated at Tenth Street and U.S. Highway 41 - now part of the parking lot near Van Wezel. Terms of the sale from Martha and John Payne to the City of Sarasota, required that it be developed as a recreational facility for the people of the area.

The courts were originally of red clay composition, and then changed to har-tru composition in 1964.

The current Payne Park Tennis Centre was opened in 1993 and started with nine courts. Three more courts were added due to demand in 2010.

In the 1960's the current location was a baseball stadium at which the Chicago White Sox did their spring training.

in 2019 the Sarasota Orchestra were in discussions with the City Commission to use 7 acres of the site for a 1800 seat auditorium with adjacent parking and studio facilities. This was roundly condemned by the local population and there a large number of people organised to object to the proposals. The City Commission voted 4-1 against the proposals.