February 29, 2000
To: Scarborough Community Council
From: Joe Halstead, Commissioner Economic Development, Culture and Tourism
Subject: Prairie Drive Tennis Court - Construction and Operation of Winter Air-Supported Structure by Scarborough
Bluffs Tennis Club
Ward 13 - Scarborough Bluffs
Purpose:
To investigate the possibility of covering the existing tennis courts at Prairie Drive Park with an air-supported structure.
The project construction costs and operation expenses financed by the Scarborough Bluffs Tennis Club as outlined in their
proposal (Attachment 2).
Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
There are no financial implications resulting from the adoption of this report.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that City Council endorse the request of the Scarborough Bluffs Tennis Club for the annual winter
installation (October - April) of a air supported structure over the existing three tennis courts in Prairie Drive Park, subject
to the following conditions:
(a) all costs associated with the installation and operation be assumed by the Scarborough Bluffs Tennis Club;
(b) the project meets with the approval of the surrounding community;
(c) the project meets all requirements of the Toronto Urban Development Services Department;
(d) the Scarborough Bluffs Tennis Club enters into a formal lease agreement with the city, satisfactory to the City Solicitor
and Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism;
(e) all revenue generated through the sale of memberships shall be used to pay down the debt incurred by the club for the
purchase of the air-supported structure and the annual operational costs of the winter tennis operation; once the debt is paid
subsequent revenue is dedicated to further capital improvements such as court resurfacing, bubble replacement, clubhouse;
and
(f) effective with the 2000-2001 winter tennis season, membership fees generated through the existing agreement with the
Scarborough Winter Tennis Club, known as the Racquet Sport Development Fund, be used to pay down the debt for the
project at Prairie Drive Park as recommended by the Scarborough Tennis Federation.
Background:
In 1999, Centennial College closed its winter tennis facility at Warden Avenue and St. Clair Avenue resulting in the
complete lack of winter indoor tennis facilities in the Southwest Scarborough community.
The Scarborough Bluffs Tennis Club located in Southwest Scarborough began to explore ways to provide affordable winter
tennis to tennis enthusiasts in their community.
After determining that there are currently no public funds available for this project, the Scarborough Bluffs Tennis Club
have made a commitment to self-finance the purchase and operation of a winter air supported tennis structure in Southwest
Scarborough.
The Prairie Drive tennis courts (located on the East Side of Pharmacy Avenue, North of Danforth Avenue, opposite
Teesdale Place) were selected in consultation with staff as the most suitable courts for a "bubble" structure in the area.
Comments:
This report recommends that Scarborough Community Council support the construction of a winter "bubble" over Prairie
Drive tennis courts financed by the Scarborough Bluffs Tennis Club. This is a cost-effective opportunity to meet public
demand for indoor winter tennis and revitalize an existing facility in Southwest Scarborough with no interruption of
existing service.
Public Demand:
The closure of the Centennial College indoor tennis facility in 1999 has left no opportunities for winter tennis in the
Southwest Scarborough Community. Tennis enthusiasts must drive considerable distance to find affordable winter tennis
facilities without waiting lists.
Within the Parks and Recreation South Region of the East District there are over 950-summer tennis club members without
winter tennis facilities.
The Scarborough Bluffs Tennis Club has a current list of over 120 tennis players ready to become members at a new
facility for the 2000 winter season.
Revitalization of existing facility:
The Prairie Drive tennis courts are surrounded by Warden Woods Park to the north, Prairie Drive Park to the east, elevated
TTC (open-air) tracks to the south and Pharmacy Avenue to the west. The Teesdale Place apartments are located on the
west side of Pharmacy. The closest single family housing is located south of the rail tracks, south of the tennis courts. See
the Prairie Drive Park site plan (Attachment 1).
The courts are supported by 36 parking spaces with a short driveway off Pharmacy Avenue.
The Scarborough Bluffs Tennis Club has included the cost of upgrading the hydro supply and adding additional outer
security lighting around the parking lot and tennis courts. (Attachment 2).
The structure would be erected for indoor use from October 1st to April 30th. From May 1st to Sept. 31st the structure would
be in storage and regular outdoor tennis would resume. The cost of erecting, dismantling and storing the structure is
included in the operating costs. (Attachment 2).
Current public use of the courts would not be interrupted. For many years there has been no summer club utilizing the
Prairie Drive courts. Public tennis lessons are provided for children through the Doug Philpott program in July and August.
Scarborough Bluffs Tennis Club currently supports the Doug Philpott program with financial contributions and tennis
instructors. The Club would like to expand the opportunities for youth tennis at Prairie Drive as outlined in their report,
(Attachment 2).
A public meeting will be held to consult with residents from Teesdale Place as well as those residents in single family
homes to the south of the rail tracks.
Both city staff and volunteers from the Scarborough Bluffs Tennis Club understand that a formal. Lease agreement
articulating the roles, responsibilities and financial arrangements will need to be drafted and signed by the appropriate
individuals.
Project Funding:
This initiative is supported by a committed, well-established community group. The Scarborough Bluffs Tennis Club was
established in 1951. It retains a strong membership and currently boasts 350 members, the largest in Scarborough. For 48
years the club has been fiscally responsible.
The Scarborough Bluffs Tennis Club is proposing to finance the capital costs of the project (court resurfacing, purchase
and construction of air supported structure) and the annual operating costs (heating, lighting, staffing, insurance). Costs are
detailed in the proposal from Scarborough Bluffs Tennis Club prepared by Meg Fletcher, President (Attachment 2).
The Club plans to borrow necessary funds from a financial institution. All revenue received through memberships and
court fees would be used to pay down the debt. Upon retiring the debt, revenues from memberships and maintenance fees
would be put into a reserve fund to deal with capital improvements in the future.
The Scarborough Tennis Federation endorses the Prairie Drive winter tennis project. Commencing with the 2001 winter
season, new funds accrued in the development fund are earmarked for this project. A letter of endorsement from the
Scarborough Tennis Federation President can be found in (Attachment 3).
Timeline:
The Scarborough Bluffs Tennis Club proposes to have the Prairie Drive bubble structure operational by October 1, 2000.
Conclusions:
With Scarborough Community Council approval, and the approval of the community the Scarborough Bluffs Tennis Club
will finance the construction and operation of an air supported structure covering the Prairie Drive tennis courts at no cost
to the City.
This would inject new life into the tennis courts at this site. The new facility would meet the public demand for winter
tennis opportunities in Southwest Scarborough created by the closure of the Centennial College facility in 1999.
The Scarborough Bluffs Tennis Club, Scarborough Tennis Federation, the Toronto Urban Development Services
Department, North York Tennis Association, Parks and Recreation Technical Services and Urban Forestry were consulted
during the preparation of this report.
Contact:
Anne Jackson
Parks and Recreation, East District
Phone: (416) 392-2651
Fax: (416) 392-3350
e-mail: ajackson@toronto.ca
Joe Halstead
Commissioner Economic Development, Culture and Tourism
List of Attachments:
Attachment 1 - Prairie Drive Existing Site Plan
Attachment 2 - South Region Indoor Tennis Facility Operate Plan
Attachment 3 - Scarborough Tennis Federation, Letter of Endorsement
