Melania Trump announced that the restoration of the children’s garden and tennis court had been completed. The Commission of Fine Arts and the National Capital Planning Commission approved the project in June 2019, the planning of the project started in early 2018, according to Politico on Dec. 8, 2020.
Trump was excited to announce the tennis court is ready for action. During the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic crisis, the first lady uploaded photos on social media of herself in a yellow hat reviewing blueprints for the pavilion.
The pavilion’s design was influenced by the architectural style of the White House East and West Wings. Trump helped break the ground for the project in October 2019.
In a written statement, Trump thanked the craftsman who worked on the White House project and supporters. She also stated:
I hope that this private space will function as both a place of gathering and leisure for future Families.
The White House did not disclose the cost of the restoration. The Trust for the National Mall partners of the National Park Service helped with restoring the project. Private donations funded the new building.
A few weeks following her announcement, the Trump family will be releasing the White House to Biden after losing the 2020 election. Biden secured 306 electoral votes, and Trump won 232.
Biden became president-elect on November 7 after winning Pennsylvania. Kamal Harris will be the first Black and Asian vice president. On January 20, 2021, Biden and Harris will take office.
Written by Jessica Letcher
Edited by Cathy Milne-Ware
Sources:
AP: First lady announces new White House tennis pavilion; by Darlene Superville
Politico: First lady reveals new White House tennis pavilion
NBC News: U.S. Presidential Election Results 2020: Biden wins
Featured and Top Image Courtesy of timothy Kim’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of timothy Kim’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
