Title
Review and Discussion of the Draft Tennis Courts and Site Assessments Document
Body
County Council requested the Parks and Recreation Board to take on the tennis court project via a public process of investigation and evaluation. Council further directed to complete this project by November 1, 2017.
Staff has initiated this project via the Tennis Courts and Site Assessments draft and user group meetings. These groups are presently reviewing the document so that their insights and perspectives can be included in the final document.
In addition, the Los Alamos Tennis Club will be providing a history of tennis court usage, present day participation numbers and conducting a membership survey to assist with our strategic planning effort.
Pickleball enthusiast although not as formally established as Los Alamos Tennis Club were also contacted and included in our discussions. Some reports point out that this activity is growing more than any other sport at this time. Additional pickelball court lining has occurred at the Myrtle Street tennis courts and there are plans to line an additional (2) court tennis location to meet this growing demand.
The Athletic Director at LAHS has been included in these discussions as have the tennis coaches. Through these ongoing discussions, we will develop a more comprehensive understanding of the requested eight (8) court complex and potential partnerships. Certainly if this were to move forward a joint use agreement could be established between Los Alamos County and the School District to meet the five (5) court tournament complex preferred by the United States Tennis Association (USTA) and Los Alamos Tennis Club.
An important element of this discussion is the site assessment. These sites are often the only park facility in a neighborhood while others are co-located with other park amenities. They are being used by our community and visitors alike as trailheads/corridors, open space and for pick-up games of pickleball and tennis. Many communities are looking at putting their older tennis courts into other uses; such as basketball, bike riding, skateboarding, roller blading and pop-up parks.
Although tennis popularity is on the upswing since 2000, we are a long way from the tennis heyday of Jimmy Connors and Chris Evert. Repurposing of these courts and their associated sites will need further public discussion.
Through this interactive community discussion, a strategic plan will be brought back to the Parks and Recreation Board in September.
Attachments
A - Los Alamos CountyTennis Courts and Site Assessments May 2017
B - Los Alamos Tennis Club Survey