Dear Editor:
A couple weeks back there was a write-up on the Fergus Tennis Club (Centre Wellington, Fergus Tennis Club enter 10-year agreement with review after one year, May 16).
I think a cautionary approach to the long-term agreement is very much in order. So much time is already blocked off for club jurisdiction, even a member such as myself finds it less user-friendly than it used to be.
Many courts like the one at Victoria and 24 in Guelph are wide open. This encourages kids who want to learn on their own to play without having to answer to bureaucracy. Going to get a daily arm band is not a great idea. It adds rigmarole to what should be straight forward.
I grew up in Orangeville and when the tennis club had three courts there was still one court for public use in Rotary Park. In Cardinal Woods subdivision, to my knowledge, the courts are open. Similarly in Toronto the three courts on Mercury Avenue were always open; likewise in Brampton, Mono Centre etc. etc. If perchance they were occupied, the rule is straight forward: the first ones there would vacate in 30 minutes.
Much of the time blocked off is for lessons and specific club agenda. It is great that the club has a tennis pro, but I would prefer he have his own court for his private enterprise. He could teach tennis without infringing on public time and public space.
As long as the court is supported by tax money it should be more inclusive. It’s not. It is exclusive.
I am pretty sure, in terms of club membership my opinions are definitively in the margin. Many see the escalation of organization and blocked off time as extremely positive.
That the club needs jurisdiction over both courts is not necessary. What scares me is the ten-year deal; why would such a proposal seem in the township’s best interests?
One does not want to construct barriers when and where fitness, fun and mental health are concerned.
David Courtney,
Belwood