Peters Township Tennis Association (Pittsburgh, PA)
Goal: Convince the village of Peters Township (located 15 miles south of Pittsburgh) to finance a bubble that would cover four existing public courts during the winter months
Leader/Advocate Organization: Peters Township Tennis Association
Introduction: The people of Pittsburgh are as strong and dependable as the steel that made the city famous. But they have a softer side, too. Besides gritty manufacturing plants and bone-crushing football teams, Pittsburgh has evolved into a cultural center with world-renowned universities, visual arts museums, and creative cuisine that reflects the area’s multicultural heritage. No wonder Pittsburgh was rated "America’s Most Livable City" in 2007 by Places Rated Almanac.
But despite the city’s can-do attitude and embrace of change, there is one thing they cannot alter—western Pennsylvania’s brutal winters. The howling winds, constant snowfall, and frigid temperatures are especially harsh on the area’s active tennis population, which is forced to flee outdoor courts as early as September. In the past, tennis enthusiasts living in and around Pittsburgh had three options come winter: 1) join pricey private clubs with indoor courts, 2) head south for warmer weather, or 3) pack away the racquet until spring. But now, thanks to an industrious community tennis association (CTA), they have a fourth option.
History: That CTA is the Peters Township Tennis Association (PTTA). Founded in 1995, the PTTA was built around a most unique mission statement—make winter tennis assessable and affordable for everyone. The group’s idea for executing such an ambitious plan: convince the village of Peters Township (located 15 miles south of Pittsburgh) to finance a bubble that would cover four existing public courts during the winter months. The plan, unfortunately, was met with immediate and staunch resistance.
"Quite frankly, the township thought it would be a waste of money," says John DeLaura, founder and president of PTTA. "They said it wasn’t a viable endeavor and couldn’t possibly sustain itself. They were very down on the whole thing and rejected our proposal three separate times."
Beaten but not broken, DeLaura and his colleagues regrouped, determined to see their collective dream transform into reality. After much debate and number crunching, the group came to a decision that would ultimately change their lives and those of the tennis-playing public living in and around Peters Township.
Their decision: The PTTA would finance the entire cost of the bubble and then pay to maintain and operate the public Har-Tru courts from October through April. The PTTA wouldn’t ask for any public funding but instead pay for all costs (including the loan needed to purchase the bubble) using money it raised through membership fees, low-cost tennis programming, group and private lessons, and open court time. Though the first few years promised to be lean financially, the PTTA promised to keep costs low so players of all ages and abilities could afford to enjoy the courts.
The final part of the proposed agreement stated that come May, the PTTA would pay to take down and store the bubble for the summer while handing control of the courts back to the township’s public parks department. It was a bold idea, one that placed financial accountability squarely on the shoulders of the PTTA. Remembers DeLaura: "[The township] couldn’t get past the economics of the idea, so we took the initiative and essentially said, ’Hey, we’ll worry about paying for everything, you just give us your blessing to use the courts in the winter when they’re closed anyway, and we’ll take care of the rest.’"
The township, however, was still skeptical. It took another 18 months—and lots of impassioned lobbying from various members of the PTTA and their tennis-loving supporters—before the township finally agreed to the PTTA’s ingenious proposal. But once it did, the township proved an invaluable ally. It even co-signed for the nearly $300,000 loan used to pay for the bubble and the air system that supports it. But ultimately, the PTTA would be responsible for paying off the entire loan as well as footing the bill for utilities, staffing, and other operating costs that cropped up between the months of October and April.
The bubble was finally erected over the four existing Har-Tru courts in the fall of 1997—it’s construction a shining example of how a strong-minded CTA and a receptive township can work together to build a recreational facility that enriches the lives of everyone in the community. But the raising of the bubble was just the beginning. Now it was time for the PTTA to prove they could attract players and afford to maintain the operation they fought so hard to create. Read on to see how this remarkable story unfolds.
Association Description: Visit the Peters Township Municipal Tennis Courts (affectionately known as "The Bubble") any time during the winter months, and you’re sure to find the indoor facility buzzing with activity. A robust junior tennis program, competitive league play, group clinics—these are just a handful of the activities that keep the courts packed and the members happy. But it wasn’t always like this.
When the bubble opened in the fall of 1997, people were scarce and empty courts were commonplace. "We were just barely keeping our heads above water for the first four years, and I’d say our courts were at about 50 percent occupancy," recalls DeLaura. "We tried to raise extra money by holding tennis fashion shows and selling banner advertising inside the bubble, but it just wasn’t working. We needed to try something else."
That something else included offering more diverse programming—and reaching out to adults who had never swung a racquet before. One novel idea that’s evolved into a wildly successful program is the Daytime Ladies. It all began when PTTA Director of Tennis Mike Ridener decided to send fliers to area PTA meetings with the bold headline: Free Tennis Lessons for a Month. "We were having a hard time filling the courts between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., so I figured why not create a program for stay-at-home moms whose kids are in school during the day," Ridener says. "Our hope was that the free lessons (four 2-hour clinics offered over a four-week span) would get them excited about tennis and make them want to join the club once the month was up." The plan worked, and Ridener estimates that 75 percent of the women who have participated in the Daytime Ladies clinics have gone on to sign up for additional lessons.
As well as adult lessons and leagues, the PTTA boasts an incredibly popular junior development program that currently serves more than 260 kids—six of whom are nationally ranked. Ridener credits the program’s success to continuity, meaning the kids work with the same teaching pros in the summer (when the bubble is taken down) as they do during the winter indoor season.
"We have roughly 10 teaching pros, including four full-timers, who are here year-round," says Ridener, now in his eighth year as PTAA’s director of tennis. "The kids really benefit from working with the same pros, and it shows. Last year the [local high school] girls [varsity team] won the state championship. Most of those girls came up through junior development, and they all practice in the bubble in the winter."
With such stellar programming and limited space, you would think membership and court fees would cost a small fortune. But that simply is not the case. True to its word, the PTTA has kept prices low. A six-month winter membership for an adult resident of Peters Township is just $40; juniors pay $25, and the family plan is a bargain at $100. Non-residents are also welcome and pay only slightly higher fees (non-resident junior membership, for instance, is just $30). Court time is also reasonable, with costs ranging between $18 and $22 per hour. (For a complete look at the PTTA fee structure, visit the Membership section of our website.)
"We love tennis and believe it’s a sport for everyone, so we want to make sure everyone can afford to play it," says Nancy Miller, former president and current treasurer of the PTTA. "We’re self-sufficient, so all of the money we make goes back into the facility. For us, it’s all about tennis."
It’s that type of selfless ideology and tireless devotion to tennis that has helped make "the bubble" so beloved and essential to the community it serves. After a slow start, the facility is now open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. and operating at 95 percent capacity. "Right now we barely have enough courts and time to keep up with demand," says DeLaura. "It’s a good problem to have."
Funding:
- $34,000 from the State of Pennsylvania. Awarded in 2007, this grant was earmarked for the repair and reconditioning of the bubble.
- $16,000 from the State of Pennsylvania. This grant, received in 2001, was also used to maintain the bubble. (Note: Bubbles like the one used by the PTTA generally last about 15 years, but they must be reconditioned regularly to avoid costly repairs and irreversible damage.)
- $1,000 from the United States Tennis Association. Awarded in 2005, the money was used to purchase equipment and materials for clinics and junior programming.
Lesson/Words of Wisdom:
From PTTA Founder and President John DeLaura: "Whatever entity you’re working with—township or school district—make sure that when you start figuring out how things will work from a financial standpoint, be overly pessimistic instead of optimistic. Really try to punch holes in your own plan, so you can address any potential flaws and challenges before presenting it to the town or school. Simply put, under-promise and over-deliver."
From PTTA Director of Tennis Mike Ridener: "Never be satisfied with your programming. Always strive to do more and come up with creative ways to get people excited about tennis so they’ll keep coming back and bring their friends with them."
From PTTA Treasurer Nancy Miller: "When you’re just getting started, seek out people with various expertise—like a background in marketing, finance, or law—and ask them to volunteer their time. CTAs are very grassroots, so you need people who are not afraid to roll up their sleeves and work hard. And keep everyone focused and motivated; remind them why they love the game of tennis and how they can spread that love to others."
Contact Information: Peters Township Tennis Association Telephone: 724-941-1330 Web: www.peterstennis.com