Schoenherr Tennis Center (Ludington, MI)
Goal: Build a new 9-court tennis facility for players of all ages and abilities
Leader/Advocate Organization: Tom KudwaPerched against the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, where picturesque lighthouses stand serenely over calm waters, sits Ludington, Michigan—the self-proclaimed small town with a big heart. And as any resident or visitor will tell you, Ludington’s big heart beats passionately for tennis.
For starters, it’s the former stomping grounds of Luke and Murphy Jenson, the fist-pumping, rock and roll-inspired brothers who won the 1993 French Open Doubles title. It’s also home to some of the best junior tennis in Michigan: The Ludington high school girls’ varsity tennis team has won 13 consecutive conference championships as well as five regionals over the last 13 years. The boys’ tennis team is equally accomplished, winning 22 conference and 14 regional titles since 1972.
These achievements are even more impressive when you consider two things:
1) Ludington is tiny; only 8,500 residents live there year-round, and 2) it’s located smack dab in the middle of the Midwestern snow belt, where more than 100 inches of the white stuff falls annually, making courts essentially inaccessible for five months. Plus, the nearest indoor facility is a lengthy 40-minute drive away. Not exactly your typical tennis hotbed. Then again, Ludington is not your typical tennis-loving town.
Need further proof? Well, this small town is on the verge of building a 9-court, state-of-the-art public tennis facility that’s projected to cost upwards of $500,000. How will they possibly pay for it? Read on and find out.
History: Looks can be deceiving. If you were to see Ludington High School’s decrepit tennis courts, you would never imagine they were home to one of the most successful tennis programs (boys and girls) in the entire state of Michigan. They’ve fallen into such disrepair, in fact, that many parents openly worry about the players’ safety. "You could easily roll an ankle on [the courts]; they’re that bad," says Mark Lenz, father of two daughters, one of whom played on the girls’ varsity tennis team.
The school has long shared these concerns, and for years has tried to persuade the town to pass a millage (a form of property tax) to help repair or replace the courts. But it never happened. And with each passing year, the crumbling courts became more of an eyesore—and more treacherous. Sensing something had to be done, some of Ludington’s residents decided to take matters into their own hands. And they knew exactly who they wanted leading the charge. That person: Tom Kudwa.
Kudwa, a longtime boys’ and girls’ tennis coach at Ludington High School, is a natural leader, both instantly likable and highly motivational. Embedded in his DNA is a tireless work ethic and a commitment to excellence, both of which have helped guide his teams to a parade of championships. Plus, he has a vested interest in improving the school’s tennis courts; after all, he’s on them nearly every day.
"We’d been wanting to raise funds for new courts for years, but the school asked us to hold off in hopes that the millage would pass," says Kudwa. "When it didn’t, people started talking about raising the funds ourselves. What really got the ball rolling was when a former player’s parent called me in early 2007 and said, ’Hey, I want to donate money for half a tennis court.’ It was the start we needed, and then we just ran with it."
And run with it they did. A fundraising committee was soon set up consisting of parents of players past and present, school administrators, town representatives, and Ludington residents. The first order of business was to spread the word—tell people why the facility was needed, how it would benefit the community, what it would look like, and how they could help turn this dream into a reality. In true grassroots fashion, many people donated their time as well as money. A local graphics designer, for instance, approached Kudwa, said he had heard about the project, and wanted to help. The end result: He and a local printer teamed up to produced an eye-catching promotional brochure free of charge. This brochure, according to Kudwa, has been instrumental in publicizing the project and attracting donations.
"People like to give me credit for this project, but the truth is there are so many others involved who have worked so hard and given so much to make this happen," says Kudwa. "For example, the father of one of the girls I coach is an electrician, and he’s volunteered his services and counsel. There are hundreds of great stories just like that one. This community is generous and passionate. When we believe strongly in something, we’ll make it happen—even when the odds are against us.
Speaking of generous, the courts will be named after Lee Schoenherr, a local gentleman who has donated more than $230,000 toward the project. Thanks to his contributions, the facility will feature a 60" x 35" clubhouse complete with concessions, team meeting area, storage, and restrooms. Schoenherr’s donations are also funding what promises to be a stunning stadium court featuring bleacher seating and a raised umpire’s chair.
In addition to Schoenherr’s contributions, hundreds of others in the community have stepped up—some donating as much as $30,000 to pay for a single court. But as Kudwa is quick to point out, you needn’t be a Rockefeller to leave your mark on the facility. One of the more popular ways people give money is through the "brick campaign." This allows individuals or families to purchase and personalize bricks that will then be used to pave the walkways throughout the facility. The cost of an 8" x 8" brick (up to 6 lines of text, 14 characters per line) is $300; an 8" x 16" brick (6 lines of text, 28 characters per line) costs $500. "The brick campaign has been incredibly successful," says Kudwa, "and many families are buying multiple bricks."
These brick buyers are also enjoying a tax break. That’s because the majority of the bricks are sold through the town’s Community Foundation, a tax shelter dedicated to civic beautification and cultural enrichment. In Michigan, if you make a donation to a Community Foundation, the first $200 ($400 per married couple) will net you a 50 percent tax credit. Couple that with a federal tax credit (say you are in the 25 percent tax bracket), and you’ll earn a combined tax credit of 75 percent. Using this logic, a married couple that buys a $300 brick will receive $225 in tax credit, meaning the brick essentially costs just $75.
"Raising money through the Community Foundation has been wonderful, and the tax breaks have helped encourage donations," says Laura Paine, a key member of the fundraising committee who works closely with the Community Foundation. "Plus, there’s an element of trust there. People know their money is being put to good use and handled appropriately."
Yes it is. And soon, if all goes according to plan, that money will be used to build Ludington’s next civic treasure—a gleaming new 9-court tennis facility for players of all ages and abilities. For the small town of Ludington, it pays to dream big.
Description: The Schoenherr Tennis Center is scheduled to open October 2008. When it does, the facility will house nine hard courts, including a championship center court with bleacher seating for spectators. The facility will also feature a 60" x 35" clubhouse (thanks to the generosity of Lee Schoenherr) complete with concessions, team meeting rooms, storage areas, and restrooms.
Ludington area schools own the tennis center, so their tennis teams and phys-ed classes are given court priority. But when the school is not using the center, it will be open to the public free of charge. Junior tennis camps and tournaments, which are run by the city during the summer months, will also be held here. In short, the Schoenherr Tennis Center is a democratic facility built by the people for the people.
"These courts are a testament to how well the community and the school district work together," says Paine. "The tennis center is for everyone—kids, adults, seniors. It’s something we can all enjoy and be proud of."
Many communities with elaborate tennis centers such as this charge for court time to help offset construction costs and pay for maintenance. But from the very beginning Ludington decided not to go this route. Instead, it devised a plan to pay off all building costs upfront, eliminating the need for a long-term loan. As for maintaining the courts, both the city and school have earmarked money for such purposes. This money is being held by the Community Foundation, where it gains interest and can be accessed as needed.
And even though people won’t have to pay to play on the courts, the tennis center may end up generating revenue anyway. That is because Kudwa hopes the new facility will help draw tournaments, which would likely benefit local restaurants, shops and hotels. Already a popular summer destination, Ludington may soon become even more appealing to out-of-town tennis players looking for a friendly, picturesque place to unwind and practice their game.
"What is really exciting is that this facility will bring people together, whether they’ve lived here their whole life or are just passing through," says Kudwa. "It’s a true community center where people can meet, get some exercise, and, most of all, have fun. I can’t wait for it to open."
Neither can we.
Funding:
$7,500 grant from the Community Center. Awarded in 2008, this grant was given to help pay for additional construction costs.
$50,000 grant from the United States Tennis Association. Grants such as this are used to fund the building of a new facility or the refurbishing of an existing one. It was awarded to Schoenherr Tennis Center in the summer of 2008.
Words of Wisdom:
From Tom Kudwa, Ludington High School tennis coach and key fundraiser: "If you want to build a tennis center for the community, then it’s essential to put together a group or committee made up of key community members. You want someone from the school, someone from the city, parents with kids in the school system, influential community members. These people know how to make things happen, who to contact, and what questions to ask. Projects like this are not a one-person job; you need support, you need people who are committed, and you need a common vision."
From Mark Lenz, member of the Schoenherr Tennis Center fundraising committee: "Don’t just tell people about a project, inspire them. Truthfully when Tom [Kudwa] told us about the tennis center he envisioned, we all thought he was nuts. We said to ourselves, ’This can’t happen here; we’re such a small town.’ But you can never underestimate the power of positive thinking. Tom inspired us to believe, and we in turn convinced others to believe. And now [the building of the Schoenherr Tennis Center] is actually going to happen."
From Laura Paine, member of the fundraising committee who also works closely with the Community Foundation: "You have to always be networking. Don’t be afraid to approach somebody and get them excited about your idea. You’ll be surprised at how positively people react. They will also put you in touch with others that can help. Your network will just grow and grow, and pretty soon you’ll have hundreds of people with different skills and experience who you can call on to help. It’s all about who you know."
Contact Information:
Contact Tom Kudwa at 231-845-1468 or via e-mail at tkudwa@lasd.net.