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Tennis club pondering next move for facility |
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Written by JASON PETERS, Citizen staff
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Monday, 12 May 2008 |
Sylvia Masich, foreground, Royce Gaites, middle, and Demian Dron tried out their strokes during lessons at the Prince George Tennis Club last week. In the future, youngsters like these may be able to work on their games in the middle of winter. (David Mah)
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The ground the PGTC occupies, next to the Prince George Golf and Curling Club at Recreation Place, is slated for redevelopment. In proposals being considered by the city, the tennis club would move near the site of the current PGGCC clubhouse.
If and when that happens, members of the tennis club would love to see the construction project involve the installation of a roof to cover the new courts. Indoor courts would, of course, allow for year-round tennis.
"We want indoor courts, so we're hoping we maybe get some indoor courts with the move, with support from Tennis B.C. and Badminton B.C.," said PGTC coordinator Jim Condon. "It would be fantastic. This year, we had all the nets up by April 25 and they'll probably go down end of September, end of October depending on the weather. It's only like a five- or six-month season.
"(Having indoor courts) would mean we could actually be recognized as a competitive town down south. Our junior program would grow. We could get people that want to invest their kids in a year-long sport. If we had a full year of tennis every year, we would get so many competitive, good kids coming out of here. It would be fantastic. Our (general) membership would definitely grow."
Tristan Berry, a junior member at the PGTC, is all in favour of having indoor courts.
"That would be fun," said the 12-year-old Berry. "I think that would help (my game) a lot."
The club currently features eight outdoor courts. Condon said they are in good condition but are developing more and more cracks. Perhaps more troubling is the fact they are sinking slightly at the south end. Condon said the cracks are likely being caused by the heavy construction work that has been going on just to the south of the facility.
As for the sinking: "It's all because of the road construction," Condon said. "They haven't filled it in yet, done any of the landscaping there."
The edge of the new roadway is only about 12 feet from the fence that encloses the courts. The very outside edge of the court surface hangs out from under the fence and the soil underneath has been cut away by the construction. Condon said the sinking is not a significant problem yet.
"It will be if they don't do (the landscaping) in the next year or so," he said.
The courts were completely resurfaced in 2006, at a cost of about $45,000. The PGTC paid the bill out of its own bank account.
As usual, the club will hold a full slate of tournaments this season. The schedule has not yet been finalized, but one of the most popular events, the P.G. Open, is planned for early July.
The PGTC is also offering lessons for juniors and adults. Spring sessions have already started, and summer sessions will begin in July. Coaches this year are Chris Li, Patty Van Hage and Condon.
As for membership numbers, they appear to be on the rise. Condon said at least 30 brand new members have already registered for the season. By the time all the returning members sign their forms, he anticipates total membership could surpass 200 players.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 12 May 2008 )
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