Dear Saanich Tennis Club Members,
As we start the 2016 outdoor season, STC faces a significant crossroad in its future. I want to share the current direction that the Executive group is leading our club towards and to make a request for your support (see below) throughout 2016 and hopefully in future years.
Over the past few years, the court surface at STC has been deteriorating. We decided at last year’s Special General Meeting (membership-wide meeting in July 2015) that the prudent decision would be to not do major repairs in 2016 but to instead formulate a long-term plan and reassess the conditions in 2016 in preparation for 2017. The winter months have been difficult for the court surface with a significant opening of the crack on court 1 and ongoing tree root complications. The opinions of resurfacing companies (RADA Resurfacing, Tomko), Saanich Parks and our Executive are that significant repairs will be required in order to fix the current issues. We are in the process of gathering more information about what specifically will be required and the cost of such work.
Our Executive group also continues to work on a relocation option with hopes of securing a site that will support four tennis courts with a public-STC partnership similar to what we currently have. The goal would be to continue STC and its activities for members as a low-cost, volunteer-run society with access to four courts for organized activities. Should we have a reasonable opportunity to do so, we will need to balance this goal with our immediate needs. I hope to have more details in the coming months to share with you. A final decision would be made at a Special General Meeting.
Our Executive’s Request From You!
Regardless of which path STC members choose (repairs, relocation or a bit of both over the next few years), STC needs your support in raising funds! Your attention to the points below is much appreciated.
- Please renew your membership if you have not done so already. Increasing our membership count not only helps us raise funds, but it also demonstrates the need for more tennis courts.
- Please help us grow by sharing the programs and benefits that STC has to offer with your friends and encourage them to join STC.
- Please support our programs. The fitness classes run by Jenn Hanson (‘Wholly Fit!’) and the tennis lessons provided by Neil Coutts will benefit your tennis game and your health. They also offer a significant source of fundraising revenue for STC. Please consider attending these and encourage others to do so. Non-members including spouses/partners/friends are welcome to attend any classes not filled by members.
- Please help promote our Singles League. Please join and/or help us recruit other players to join our STC Singles League.
- Please raise awareness and contribute. We would like to raise awareness of the issues we are facing and our goal to evolve into a low-cost tennis club with access to four courts. Please discuss this announcement with other STC members. If you have fundraising ideas or if you are interested in helping with our planning processes, please contact me at president@saanichtennisclub.org.
Thank you very much for your support! We hope that everyone’s efforts will lead to an enjoyable and even more promising future for STC!
Rich Wanbon
STC President