Holding court: bringing baby boomers back to public tennis courts could be as easy as changing your surfacing

Parks & Recreation, Nov, 2004 by Ron Woods

Options for Attracting the Baby Boomers *

* Provide clean, comfortable rest rooms within easy walking distance of courts.

* Make sure to have water near the courts either in fountains or in coolers. Replacing fluids on hot days is not simply a question of comfort, but one of safety.

* Offer benches for seating at courtside during changeovers and rest periods.

* Create shade from natural vegetation or courtside awnings to allow players to escape the hot sun between games.

* Provide seating for spectators or for players waiting for a court.

* Promote socialization at your facility with tables and chairs, access to drinks and a pleasant area to chat after a great workout. Remember, the 50-plus crowd is looking for new friends to share activity and have fun. If your courts don't offer a place to congregate, it will be next to impossible to promote the social aspect of the sport.

* Offer reasonably priced tennis packages of four or six weeks at different skill levels. Typical prices range from $45 to $70.

* Offer programs that are convenient for working people in the evenings or weekends. Daytime programs only accommodate those with flexible schedules.

* Emphasize doubles (more social, less court to cover), strategy and tactics and social time afterward.

* Consider three different types of programs:

a. Learn to Play Doubles--for those who have never played tennis or have not played for a long time.

b. Doubles Strategy and Play--for those who have played fairly regularly in the past and want to learn the finer points of smart play.

c. Doubles Round Robin Play For those who simply want to start playing again on a regular basis.

* Introduce the new tennis rackets that are lighter, easier to handle, easier on the body, have an oversize head and make the game easier to play.

* Include a "wellness" component with a good warm-up routine to get the blood flowing and body temperature up before play, and don't forget the cool down after play to relax tired muscles.

* Train your staff and tennis instructors to work with the 50-plus population so they understand their clients and can tailor programs to meet their specific needs.

* Information gathered from the United States Tennis Association's curriculum guide.

Operating Costs Comparison *

Based on assumptions listed at right and the costs as shown on worksheet--will vary regionally,

Other costs for overall maintenance of facility, personal choice items such as windscreen will vary based on personal preference.

Adoption program offers affordable alternative

The USTA Adopt-a-Court program was initiated by the Technical Committee in 1999 to financially assist public tennis facilities in repairing and upgrading existing tennis courts. In 2002, DecoTurf Systems signed an agreement with the USTA to support the Adopt-a-Court program and is now "the official court surface sponsor."

Grants shall be used for repair and/or upgrading existing tennis courts, including fixed amenities, and shall include new construction limited to improvement or relocation of existing courts. It is a matching grant program for up to $2,500 from the national office matched dollar-for-dollar from the local USTA family (section or designated region or district office).