Tennis Center supporters volley for respect

Can the town measure the success of the Longboat Key Public Tennis Center based on revenue streams?

Past Longboat Key commissioners have believed it was an appropriate measurement, but members of the Friends of Tennis Inc., a nonprofit organization formed in 2001 to support future enhancements of the Longboat Key Public Tennis Center, think that’s ridiculous. 

Tennis Center members and Friends of Tennis officials are also becoming frustrated with what they perceive as poor financial support for basic operational upkeep of the facility.

The town completed the tennis center in 2003. Although some past commissioners complained about its cost, the town never had a policy about how much it should bring in or cost.

Now, current commissioners agree that although past policy was for the tennis center to reach at least a break-even status, the tennis center merits a different approach.

Why? 

Friends of Tennis President David Gutridge argues that without his organization’s financial support of more than $300,000 since 2001, the tennis center wouldn’t be open for business.

Within the last three years alone, the organization has spent more than $19,000 on tennis court resurfacing, a new golf cart and other equipment. Donations from members have funded everything from patio furniture to icemakers. And Friends of Tennis supporters don’t think their organization should bear the weight of these costs any longer.

“Whether true or not, tennis center members have long felt that the previous town government viewed the tennis center as its red-headed step child, something to be tolerated but not truly loved and embraced, even though it had over 26,000 individual visits this past October through March time period,” Gutridge told commissioners at their March 16 regular workshop. 

Gutridge said more than 150 visitors per month in season are turned away because the courts are too busy. And Friends of Tennis’ annual Super Senior Category II tournament in December attracted 228 players from 31 states, including nationally ranked players. 

“Excluding the beaches, I imagine this far exceeds the usage of the Key’s other park and recreational facilities combined, even though those facilities cost the town far more (in annual upkeep) than the tennis center,” Gutridge said.  

The tennis center’s operational expenses in fiscal year 2013-14 were $173,313.

“Friends of Tennis has been told that funds to make improvements will only be made available if the tennis center earns them, meaning, only if it has income in excess of expenses sufficient to fund these items,” Gutridge said. “If this is true, we urge our town to approach this differently.”

Commissioners agreed with a suggestion from Gutridge to formulate a three- to 10-year operational plan for the tennis center. 

“The tennis center is an asset to the town,” Commissioner Phill Younger said. “I’m inclined to agree with you that we treat it like a red-headed stepchild.”

Commissioner Jack Daly said he was shocked that Friends of Tennis spent $16,000 on court resurfacing. 

“That’s a very expensive line item,” Daly said. “Resurfacing is one of many operational needs the town should be supporting, not Friends of Tennis.”

Town Manager Dave Bullock told the commission “an unwillingness to invest in the maintenance of the tennis center would be foolish.”

Bullock said he will work with staff to create a $15,000 to $20,000 capital improvement budget for the tennis center for commissioners to discuss further at budget workshops this summer.  

“There’s not a public tennis center in the country that has positive cash flow,” Gutridge said. “But I do know this facility adds value to the town and attracts visitors who become residents. I’m glad to hear things might be changing.”