Pleasanton Parks Commission Backs Million-Dollar Contract with Lifetime Tennis
The contract promises new pickle-ball courts, but the Echo's editorial raises important questions over affordable tennis in Pleasanton.
PLEASANTON — The Pleasanton Parks and Recreation Commission convened on November 9th to recommend a $1,725,000 10-year agreement with Lifetime Tennis over the operation of Pleasanton Tennis and Community Park and AVHS Tennis Courts.
However, the agreement prompts serious concerns over affordable tennis in Pleasanton, which the Echo uncovers at the end of the article.
Here is what you need to know:
Lifetime Tennis Agreement
With the current agreement over the operation of Pleasanton Tennis and Community Park set to expire on December 31st, 2023, the City is rushing to pass a new one.
A panel of four city staff interviewed three candidates before unanimously choosing Lifetime Tennis—the current operator—as the preferred vendor.
During the meeting, city staff praised Lifetime Tennis for being a reliable city partner of 18 years. It demonstrated a firm understanding of the Pleasanton community, held a strong track record in providing programs and classes, and exhibited experience in tennis services throughout the Bay Area.
“What we really looked at,” explained director of library and recreation Heidi Murphy, “was the service they [Lifetime Tennis] could provide, and no one compared.”
After a short discussion, the Parks and Recreation Commission voted to recommend the agreement to the City Council. It will now be sent to the Pleasanton City Council, where it will voted on for approval.
Key Elements of the Agreement:
Payment Scheme
Under the agreement, Lifetime Tennis will pay the following annual amounts to the City of Pleasanton. Each year’s due will be $5,000 more to keep up with inflation. In total, the 10-year contract will come to $1,725,000.
New Pickle-ball Courts
The agreement also promises the construction of four Pickle-ball courts at the Tennis and Community Park. Lifetime Tennis agreed to contribute $100,000 to the project, which the City will lead. The construction is planned to finish by December 31st, 2024, and is estimated to cost just below $100,000.
Responsibilities
Lifetime Tennis will be providing classes, performing court maintenance, managing drop-in play, supplying the necessary equipment for its programs, and maintaining the tidiness of its facilities. On the other hand, the City is responsible for the general upkeep of buildings, replacement of court light bulbs, and janitorial services at outdoor restrooms.
Amador Valley High School (AVHS) Tennis Court Drop-in Play
The AVHS tennis facility, which is open to play free of charge, will be supervised by a Lifetime employee. It is open on weekends from 9 AM to 5 PM year-round and extends to 8 AM through 7 PM during the summer.
Conflicting Interests? | Editorial Opinion on Affordable Tennis in Pleasanton
Lifetime’s simultaneous management of the AVHS and Tennis Park courts on weekends raises serious questions.
While courts at the Tennis Park are reserved and paid, AVHS courts are free. However, since Lifetime Tennis earns no money from managing drop-in play at Amador, it has no interest in promoting it to Pleasanton tennis players.
Many—unaware of free drop-in play at Amador and intimidated by long lines at public courts during the weekends—resort to paying for Lifetime’s Tennis Park courts.
Yet the AVHS courts are a better option for Pleasanton residents who want to enjoy affordable tennis with their friends and families.
The tentative agreement continues the status quo, with no required advertising for free AVHS drop-in play. This is wrong. The City Council should recognize the need for affordable tennis in our community and raise awareness about public access to the AVHS tennis courts.
And that is all you need to know for this Parks and Recreation Commission meeting! Please share the article if you found it informative.
I plan on writing summaries for other commission meetings, and I hope you will support me in my mission to inform you what local journalism does not.