FFWD Weekly
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Sports by Maureen McNamee Tennis players may have been staying away from public outdoor tennis courts last year, but they’ve been heading to the private clubs in droves. In 1999, the city implemented pay nets at public courts as a pilot project. The intent was to help cover the costs of maintaining the courts, but it kept players away instead. Meanwhile, as the city courts were quiet, outdoor tennis clubs were booming – and the numbers continue to rise this season despite the fact the pay nets were removed. "We got a tremendous surge last year because they put those coin-operated nets up for the city," says Sheila Barling, president of Mount Pleasant Tennis Club. "It looks like the people that came last year are coming back." The small outdoor club, located at 117 - 4th Avenue N.E. in a park that overlooks the city, has five courts, about 250 members, a friendly atmosphere and a lot of charm. There is a very strong seniors contingent, but several of the newcomers are younger adults or juniors. Having picked up the sport just three years ago herself, Barling stresses that the club welcomes people of all ages and skill levels. "We encourage new members," she says. "When we notice a new member, we invite them to play and try to put them together with someone." At the Calgary Tennis Club (CTC), a larger organization with nine clay courts, there were 680 members last year compared to 350 in the early ’90s. The oldest club in Calgary, it started in the 1880s and has been at the same location at 1445 - 16th Street S.W. since 1912. Manager Rolf Martin believes the city’s pilot project may have contributed to the short-term increase, however, he also blames it for the fact that Calgary lags behind the rest of North America in the sport, where the number of players and the related sales have increased dramatically. "Most of the clubs’ (numbers) were up, and that might be because of the nets, but certainly that slowed the rebirth of the game in Calgary," he says, explaining that CTC opposed the project for fear it would discourage new players. "In the long run, if there’s no grassroots players, you’re not going to survive." However, with the pay nets gone and the interest growing, the outlook is good. Martin says sports often run in cycles – tennis was popular in the late ’70s, it waned in the ’80s, and now it’s on the rise again. He credits increased media coverage and the attention being paid to the stars – not just in sports magazines, but in publications like People. And while tennis is on the upswing, he predicts golf is headed for some down time. "A lot of people coming to the clubs are fed up with golf," he explains, adding that it’s too expensive and doesn’t offer enough exercise. "I think we get a spin-off of that, too." For more information, phone Mount Pleasant (276-3013), CTC (244-5302), or one of the other clubs listed in the phone book. To see some players in action, check out the Trans World Oil and Gas Clay Court Tennis Championships at CTC from June 7 to 11.

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