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Penticton Tennis Club looking to the future

Club asks city council what happens after yacht club building is demolished
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The Penticton Tennis Club is asking the City of Penticton what their plans are for tennis in the city. Western News file photo

The Penticton Tennis Club is looking for a little love from city hall.

Jack Shepe, the club’s president, said they need to know what the City of Penticton’s plans are for their current facilities at the end of Marina Way, next to the old Yacht Club building, which the tennis club has partial use of for washrooms and storage.

Related: Penticton Tennis Club takes over property lease

The city is planning to demolish the building sometime this year, and the club’s current lease runs out on Dec. 31. Shepe said that uncertainty means the tennis club isn’t willing to spend the money they’ve put aside for refurbishing the courts there.

“A clubhouse with washrooms and a storage/meeting room is a necessity if the club is to continue,” said Shepe. “The PTC is willing and able to continue to maintain the courts and lighting, would like to expand, if possible to six courts or even eight. Not just for the existing membership but to add more courts so we can expand our children’s programs and run tournaments to bring out of town participants to Penticton.”

Speaking to city council, Shepe pointed out how little the club costs the city.

“The courts that are currently used by the tennis club, including the lights, have not cost the city any money. They were built by the Penticton Yacht and Tennis Club, and have since been maintained entirely by the PTC,” said Shepe. “In addition, the PTCC have been paying a lease which is greater than the Penticton Golf Club. Currently, it is $4,000 per year.”

The club also runs free programs for children and offers bursaries at both high schools, according to Shepe, who also reminded council of the city’s promise to replace the tennis bubble, removed to make way for the South Okanagan Events Centre.

Related: Club offering free tennis lessons

“When it was torn down, the roof was stored at the parks work yard, with a promise from city council to replace the structure. At least $250,000 was set aside for this project,” said Shepe, adding that less than five years later, the money had been directed to other uses and the roof was sold to another community.

The tennis club has about 200 members, 40 of which are children. Shepe said the sport is growing in popularity, and the club is having trouble keeping up, especially when it comes to tournaments.

“Tournaments now go to other municipalities in the Okanagan, which have six to eight court facilities that can accommodate them,” said Shepe. “This is lost revenue for the city. These tournaments are increasing as tennis popularity is increasing but Penticton tournaments are now down to one or two a year due to lack of facilities.”

Mayor Andrew Jakubeit said there should be a recommendation for council coming out of the club’s meeting with the city’s land administrator, Peter Wallace.