Members of the Marco Island Racquet Center tennis club want to save their tennis courts. They believe tennis and pickleball can coexist at the facility. They definitely don’t want to see the city’s last public tennis courts sacrificed for pickleball courts.
Currently, two of the Racquet Center’s six tennis courts are scheduled to be converted into eight pickleball courts as part of the first phase of a two-phase conversion plan for the Racquet Center. Once the first phase is complete, the Racquet Center will have 18 pickleball courts and four har-tru tennis courts. A group of 12 tennis members gathered Monday morning to share their feelings with Coastal Breeze News. The second phase calls for the elimination of all tennis courts.
Marie Johnson watches her forehand cross the net.
Marco Island Racquet Center tennis members don’t want to see the city’s remaining tennis courts converted into pickleball courts. Helena Borgesen, Carol Stanczak, Marion Leschey, Roe Zavatsky, Gerry Pallone, Mike Yant, Margaret Gallivan, Carol HalachakMary Lou Mason, Dick Smith, Marie Johnson, Grace Cheng.
“I feel like a little kid on the playground who got knocked down by the playground bullies,” Carol Halaschak said. “I mean, this tennis center has been here for years. I worked here for 12 years in the office, part-time. And I remember when this tennis center was turned over to the city, and it was a tennis court, provided there is free playing time. It was part of the act. There’s no reason why they shouldn’t keep some tennis courts, just because there are more pickleball players. I have been playing tennis here since 1995, three days a week. I’ve been captain of our league for almost as many years. And it’s not only good socially for us, but it’s also good exercise. And my doctor said, “Keep playing tennis.” My patients who are tennis players are the healthiest people.'”
“I’ve been playing tennis for 50 years,” Grace Cheng said, “but I’ve been playing here for 13 years. Tennis is the main thing that attracted me to this island. And we play tennis recreationally. “is important for our lives and for our physical fitness. So, I understand that they are going to take two courts away from us. But these other four courts are of vital importance to us and we must keep our courts here.»
“Tennis is literally a lifeline for these ladies,” tennis member Marie Johnson said. “Tennis gives them a reason to get up in the morning, to get dressed, a reason to talk to other ladies and gentlemen, a reason to exercise, a way to have fun. Please don’t take that away from them. »
Councilman Greg Folley, an avid pickleball player, was playing pickleball Monday morning at the Racquet Center. He spoke out on the island’s hot topic.
“I have no bias one way or the other when it comes to tennis or pickleball,” said Greg Folley, “you know, when it comes to the city. We have 300 people on the list wait for pickleball, and we have, you know, basically empty courts on the tennis side. And that really tells a story.»
Mary Lou Mason, 93, wants the city to save the Racquet Center’s public tennis courts.
What many people want to know is if the decision to completely convert the Racquet Center from tennis to pickleball is set in stone.
“WWe agree that it’s worth investigating,” Folley said. “WWe did a study on this. We have not committed any money to anything other than converting two courts. »
Folley said the city is now seeking help from Collier County.
“We’re actually trying to raise money,” Folley said, “to see if the county is interested. They have a tourism development fund. And (fellow city councilman) Jared Grifoni is on that. And Jared suggested in several meetings we’re trying to get funding for this. You know in the Olympics there are locations outside of the city for many events. We could be a satellite venue for pickleball in Naples. We “We can just provide more places for people to play. And that’s pretty attractive.”
Councilman Greg Folley said: “We have 300 people on the waiting list for pickleball, and we have, you know, basically empty courts on the tennis side. And it really tells a story.»
Roe Zavatsky can’t believe the city wants to eliminate all of its public tennis courts.
“Tennis has been a wonderful institution for years,” Roe Zavatsky said. “I’ve been playing since 1992 and it’s great. Look at the US Open. People are still interested in tennis. I don’t understand why they want to”
Racquet Center tennis members are circulating a petition titled “Save Our Tennis Courts.”
“We have nowhere to go,” said Carole Stanczak. “The only other option is the YMCA, and they’re very, very busy. And if we all go there, they won’t have room for us.”
