(2) End to End Tennis Courts (Building Must Then Measure 60' x
240' or Greater)
<----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------240'
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------->
(B) GENERAL
BUILDING REQUIREMENTS
-
Floor area -
clear span
-
Minimum of 24
foot clear height along the length and width of each court
-
Minimum 39
feet clear height above the center service line of each court
-
12-lamp
Courtlite Indirect "green" T5 fluorescent blue light technology
units (Three Phase Wiring) - The units in total must produce a
maximum of 10,844 watts for exhibition play but be by-level wired so
that 1/2 of the lamps can be turned off for recreational play and
educational classes
-
The Courtlite
indirect lighting system will require a vapour barrier that must be
highly reflective reinforced white fabric which is resistant to ball
puncture - Lamtec® Gymguard or equal for wall and ceiling
applications which offers a smooth, bright white finish and a
continuous vapor barrier is preferred.
-
A 55 F.
degrees [12.7 degrees C] inside winter temperature is required for
court play
-
Wheelchair
accessible building
(C) GENERAL
COURT REQUIREMENTS
-
Two cushioned
tennis courts (a six layer cushioned system is preferred) upon an asphalt base are preferred to either Hart-Tru
(clay) or standard acrylic surfaced courts (cheapest to construct)
-
Singles and
doubles nets, centre posts, end or side curtains, and related
furnishings.
(D)
COMMUNITY BENEFIT/IMPACT
Built
exclusively for the benefit of the public at large, and serving as a
hub facility for the entire CBRM, the facility will also place a
particular focus on the young, the old, the challenged, and those
unfamiliar with the game of tennis. It will provide a summer/winter,
healthy lifestyle playing venue for all levels and ages of tennis
players, from novice through seasoned. It will encourage high public user
participation rates through an affordable hourly rate - first come,
first serve - and educational group clinics. It will stress that its
state-of-the art cushioned court is exceptionally physically
friendly, to draw in the older and challenged player who might
hesitate to participate otherwise.
The facility will stress public instruction, at both an hourly and
clinic level. At the hourly level, facility trained local staff will provide tennis
advice, knowledge, practical tips, and even racquets upon the
asking, at no additional charge.
In addition, the facility will target the younger public,
through assorted winter and summer group clinics. In particular, the
facility will
concentrate on winter school, after school, and specialized junior
development programmes based on Tennis Canada training,
instructional, and skills upgrading criteria. Winter coaching clinics
will be another priority, as would other community group
initiatives, such as wheelchair and mixed senior (plus 55) play.
(E) NEEDS
ASSESSMENT
As Cape
Breton’s first indoor facility designed only for tennis, the
facility will increase the physical activity and overall well-being and
health of an island population within an unique setting hitherto
only available on the mainland and elsewhere in Canada. Thus, while
inclusive of all, yet as well focusing on the young, the old, and the
challenged, the facility will also emphasize, in its design and
programming, an enhanced accessibility (including wheelchair
access).
The
facility will
stress physical activity amongst a client base clearly in need of
public direction, will mobilize a community looking desperately for
increased infrastructure capacity, provide a safe environment in an
ever dangerous world, increase public awareness of the need for
physical activity, and provide proof that its programming has
beneficial personal and community outcomes.
In the past,
arrangements for winter tennis - be it by the outdoor Cromarty Tennis Club,
or private members initiative - whether in warehouses in Sydport or
on the North Side, or at CBU, drew substantive numbers of players of
all ages. Willing as they were to play in makeshift surroundings,
these locations represented a clear need and crying out for a proper
facility. In particular, they speak to an aging Cape Breton
population seeking physical experience as a significant life choice
on an island where such choices are limited, relative to other
Canadian places.
Finally, the facility would be "adding to" the
existing recreational infrastructure capacity of CBRM. There are
numerous non-profit and municipal run outdoor summer tennis
facilities in the CBRM, and it would be the first indoor tennis
facility (as well as a year-round operation) in the CBRM and indeed
on the Island of Cape Breton.
(F) LONG
TERM SUSTAINABILITY
The
facility could draw upon the experience, proven
volunteerism and participation of the outdoor Cromarty Tennis Club
which has uninterrupted success in
Sydney since 1902. Their list of accomplishments, which are
legendary, has included a strong, sustainable annual, summer outdoor
after-school and junior programme. They also support a growing
retiree and friends programme that encourages outdoor tennis play
throughout the year (including the winter months when possible) for
the older player. Clearly the facility will be a valuable asset to
which the memberships of the outdoor Cromarty Tennis Club and other CBRM
tennis clubs will turn, particularly during the winter and inclement
days.
The
Cape-Breton-Victoria Regional School Board has developed a very
successful healthy life styles programme with Ski Ben Eoin that is
linked to its physical education curriculum, in which they stress it
important that children participate. This
facility could receive the same treatment once its structured programme
was in place. This is because it will stress the same goals
and even more, and also is inclusive of physically challenged
children. As at Ben Eoin, there would be a cost recovery charge-back
to the participant.
Since the
design of the facility would meet Tennis Canada standards, it could encourage exhibition matches
involving professionals in support of its charity programmes. For
example, the "Raising a Racquet for Kids" is an annual fundraiser
where for example current world doubles #1 player, Daniel Nestor &
rising Canadian star, 20 year old Peter Polansky have appeared.
Another
example is where Tennis Canada is mandated “to lead the growth,
promotion and showcasing of the sport of wheelchair tennis in
Canada, build a system that helps produce world class players, and
foster the pursuit of excellence for all. “ As a consequence, Tennis
Canada recognizes the impact a tennis chair has on the enjoyment of
challenged players and on the general progression in the sport, and
thus has a lending programme to provide quality used tennis chairs
to programmes such as here.
This facility
would also be new, and comes with a number of long-term warranties. For
example, the structure itself could come with 25 and 50-year warranties.
List of some
community organizations (in addition to the general public) that will use the facility:
(1)
Cromarty Tennis Club.
(2) Sydney
River Tennis Club.
(3) Glace
Bay Tennis Club.
(4) New
Waterford Tennis Club.
(5) North
Sydney Tennis Club.
(6)
Cape-Breton-Victoria Regional School Board.
(7) Cape
Breton Island Hoppers Volksmarch Club.
(8) The
Community of Membertou
In other
words, long term sustainability will not be a problem.
