The City Council formally approved the construction plans for the indoor courts and walking path at this evening's hearing. My focus now shifts to reviewing the project timeline and ensuring the procurement process remains transparent. Thank you for maintaining the pressure that forced this inclusion in the final parks budget.
December 25, 2015
Final supporters
We have a thriving but underserved tennis community in Ames. However, the lack of a public indoor facility prevents year-round play for all residents. An indoor facility would provide area tennis players with protection from inclement weather, offer opportunities for year-round play, and serve as a focal point for the local tennis community. While many cold climate communities are increasing the number of tennis courts for their citizens, we have NO indoor courts. In fact with the demise of the Ames Racquet & Fitness Club indoor facility, the entire Story and surrounding counties will be without winter and inclement weather access to this healthful sport.
We request the City of Ames to construct a minimum 6 indoor courts as part of the city parks improvements to serve our growing tennis and pickle ball communities and fulfill the mission of creating an active and healthy population. Tennis promotes the health, education and well being of all youth and adult residents in our community. In addition, an indoor walking path surrounding the courts will be the answer to every citizen’s need to stay active in cold and snow. Please bring public indoor tennis courts and a walking path for everyone. Please help support our indoor wellness cause, our healthy community and our fitness minded city!
Updates
October 14, 2015
I have requested a formal meeting with the Parks and Recreation Commission to present the signature count as evidence of local demand. A draft proposal for the facility site plan is currently under review by an urban planning consultant. Further updates will follow once the city schedule for the upcoming council session is finalized.
Reached 100 supporters
October 14, 2015
27 Comments
Tennis is a sport for anyone age 3-100+. It's one of the few sports that doesn't require a lot of equipment or financial investment and is a skill that can last a lifetime. Investing in indoor courts to keep the Ames tennis programs viable will help not only existing tennis players but future players.
I started tennis at ARFC 35 years ago when I came to Ames. Tennis has been one of my most beloved activities; I love the competition. But more importantly, I cherish the many wonderful people I have met as a result of this sport. Sad to see that part of my life going away.
I have used the indoor tennis facilities for the last forty some years and have seen the youth in this area be very successful in the HS state tournaments because of it. We need to keep indoor courts. Jim Grabau
I believe that there are many of us that currently love to play tennis and future tennis players would benefit from new indoor courts. In a time where obesity is becoming more of a national concern in this country, anything that helps promote continued exercise for all ages benefits everyone
While I whole-heartedly support the idea of indoor courts and will greatly miss the current courts next year, I disagree with the reference of a "thriving" tennis community. If this was truly a thriving tennis community, ARFC would be building courts at the new facility. It's not because the courts do not generate enough revenue to justify the expense, demonstrating that tennis is on the decline in Ames. I feel it is extremely important to accurately portray our passionate cause as we face a very large uphill battle to have indoor courts moving forward.
Any town with a population of 50,000 or more should have indoor tennis courts. Ames is a cultural and educational oasis in central Iowa. Indoor tennis facilities for Ames and surrounding towns is a must.
I know a lot of people who wish to continue the i door tennis during winter time.
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The City Council formally approved the construction plans for the indoor courts and walking path at this evening's hearing. My focus now shifts to reviewing the project timeline and ensuring the procurement process remains transparent. Thank you for maintaining the pressure that forced this inclusion in the final parks budget.
December 25, 2015
Final supporters
We have a thriving but underserved tennis community in Ames. However, the lack of a public indoor facility prevents year-round play for all residents. An indoor facility would provide area tennis players with protection from inclement weather, offer opportunities for year-round play, and serve as a focal point for the local tennis community. While many cold climate communities are increasing the number of tennis courts for their citizens, we have NO indoor courts. In fact with the demise of the Ames Racquet & Fitness Club indoor facility, the entire Story and surrounding counties will be without winter and inclement weather access to this healthful sport.
We request the City of Ames to construct a minimum 6 indoor courts as part of the city parks improvements to serve our growing tennis and pickle ball communities and fulfill the mission of creating an active and healthy population. Tennis promotes the health, education and well being of all youth and adult residents in our community. In addition, an indoor walking path surrounding the courts will be the answer to every citizen’s need to stay active in cold and snow. Please bring public indoor tennis courts and a walking path for everyone. Please help support our indoor wellness cause, our healthy community and our fitness minded city!
Updates
October 14, 2015
I have requested a formal meeting with the Parks and Recreation Commission to present the signature count as evidence of local demand. A draft proposal for the facility site plan is currently under review by an urban planning consultant. Further updates will follow once the city schedule for the upcoming council session is finalized.
Reached 100 supporters
October 14, 2015
27 Comments
30 years ago our son, who was a High School student, drove from Marshalltown to take lessons from the Ames Racquet club. The sport has served him well,as he continues to compete. Tennis is a life long sport played by young and old, not like other sports that serve only a few. We take pride in being a healthy community, but when there are no indoor court available the youth programs will vanish, opportunities for our H.S. players to play year round will end and the opportunity for all ages to play year round will be gone. Ames also wants the young adults(besides college students) to reside in Ames, instead of moving to Des Moines. Let's give them another reason to see Ames as a community that takes seriously their claim as a HEALTHY COMMUNITY!
Tennis is a sport for anyone age 3-100+. It's one of the few sports that doesn't require a lot of equipment or financial investment and is a skill that can last a lifetime. Investing in indoor courts to keep the Ames tennis programs viable will help not only existing tennis players but future players.
I started tennis at ARFC 35 years ago when I came to Ames. Tennis has been one of my most beloved activities; I love the competition. But more importantly, I cherish the many wonderful people I have met as a result of this sport. Sad to see that part of my life going away.
I have used the indoor tennis facilities for the last forty some years and have seen the youth in this area be very successful in the HS state tournaments because of it. We need to keep indoor courts. Jim Grabau
I believe that there are many of us that currently love to play tennis and future tennis players would benefit from new indoor courts. In a time where obesity is becoming more of a national concern in this country, anything that helps promote continued exercise for all ages benefits everyone
While I whole-heartedly support the idea of indoor courts and will greatly miss the current courts next year, I disagree with the reference of a "thriving" tennis community. If this was truly a thriving tennis community, ARFC would be building courts at the new facility. It's not because the courts do not generate enough revenue to justify the expense, demonstrating that tennis is on the decline in Ames. I feel it is extremely important to accurately portray our passionate cause as we face a very large uphill battle to have indoor courts moving forward.
Any town with a population of 50,000 or more should have indoor tennis courts. Ames is a cultural and educational oasis in central Iowa. Indoor tennis facilities for Ames and surrounding towns is a must.
I know a lot of people who wish to continue the i door tennis during winter time.
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30 years ago our son, who was a High School student, drove from Marshalltown to take lessons from the Ames Racquet club. The sport has served him well,as he continues to compete. Tennis is a life long sport played by young and old, not like other sports that serve only a few. We take pride in being a healthy community, but when there are no indoor court available the youth programs will vanish, opportunities for our H.S. players to play year round will end and the opportunity for all ages to play year round will be gone. Ames also wants the young adults(besides college students) to reside in Ames, instead of moving to Des Moines. Let's give them another reason to see Ames as a community that takes seriously their claim as a HEALTHY COMMUNITY!