Loading...
RE_ FC _- Parks and Recreation 2_RedactedOne of the most pressing issues is the complete lack of publicly accessible indoor courts. This winter will be the first in decades without any indoor courts available to the public, leaving the tennis community with no place to play. The current plan to add up to 3 net new tennis courts at East Boulder Rec Center in the coming years is insufficient and fails to address the immediate and long-term needs of our community. Furthermore, Boulder is eliminating the 12 CU South tennis courts at the end of this year. Added to the loss of 15 courts at RMTC, Boulder is losing 27 tennis courts in the span of a year. This significant reduction exacerbates the already critical situation. Boulder Parks and Rec (BPR) claims that our ratio of public courts to population size is comparable to similar cities. However, this argument is based on a flawed national formula. It fails to consider the high demand for tennis in Boulder compared to tennis-neutral states. The result is a false equivalency that justifies inaction. It's important to note that there are willing private entities actively seeking to partner with Boulder Parks and Rec (BPR) to support a racquet facility in Boulder. Despite this, the local city government has not taken any action to support potential partnerships. Other towns in Colorado — Steamboat, Denver, Parker and Arvada — noted the renewed interest and participation from tennis players, and have invested in new indoor facilities. The City of Littleton studied, approved and started construction on a $11 million replacement tennis facility in less than a year, without private funding. The tennis community, including the RMTC and BTA, has spent four years trying to get the city's attention on this issue through meetings, public comments, and community organization. Yet, despite these efforts, little has changed. We have yet to see a concrete plan from the city prioritizing the development of publically accessible indoor tennis courts. We are at a critical juncture. Without immediate action, there will be no publicly accessible tennis courts starting this winter. This will affect everyone from seniors to young families. We urge the City Council to demand real action from Boulder Parks and Rec. Empty promises and delays are no longer acceptable. The time to act is now. Let’s ensure that Boulder remains a city where everyone has access to recreational activities, not just the privileged few. Thank you, [[FSF080521]] Submission ID is #: 1237525188 Compose a Response to this Email