Looking for new sources of revenue in tight budgetary times, the
College of Staten Island is negotiating the terms of a revolutionary
contract to privatize the school's 12 tennis courts and cover at
least half of them with a dome.
The plan would double the number of indoor tennis courts in the
borough, a major advance for a sport that players say has been
neglected on Staten Island.
Under the terms of the proposed agreement, the Staten Island
Community Tennis Center, a corporation led by local tennis pros Jim
Barton and Matt Buxbaum, would lease the courts from the college for
10 years.
"This is a new concept and hopefully it will work out for everyone,"
said Thomas G. Tyburczy, CSI acting vice president of finance and
administration. "We're pushing to get everything signed as soon as
possible."
The college's tennis team would use the facility, and students would
have free access to some courts. Still being discussed is the number
of courts blocked solely for students, Tyburczy said.
For the use of the courts, the center would pay the college a yearly
flat rate or a percentage of gross revenues. Sources close to the
negotiations said the annual fee would be in the neighborhood of
$100,000.
Tyburczy said the school may consider leasing more of its facilities
to private vendors in the future, but that there are currently no
plans to do so.
Queensborough Community College, also under the auspices of the City
University of New York, is considering a similar proposal for its
tennis courts.
The CSI contract stipulates that every court would be resurfaced,
and a bubble dome would be erected over half of them by September,
in time for the winter tennis season.
Depending on the profitability of the private club, the remaining
courts could be covered as early as 2004.
College officials are optimistic about the proposal as a way to
counter the city's current fiscal crisis.
In addition to serving up a steady stream of revenue, the revamped
courts are expected to attract more people to the college campus,
said CSI Vice President for Student Affairs Carol Jackson.
For years, many Staten Island tennis enthusiasts have relied on the
five indoor courts at the West Shore Tennis Club in Travis to play
during the colder months. Others have joined private clubs in New
Jersey and other parts of the city.
The bubble dome at CSI would be air-conditioned and include a
clubhouse complete with lockers, a lounge and a pro shop. Future
plans include attaching an outdoor patio.
"The reason tennis hasn't been growing on Staten Island is because
there is a lack of facilities and programs," said Barton, 53, a
teaching professional in the borough for 30 years. "I feel there is
a big tennis population that leaves Staten Island to play because
they're not happy with their options."
The Staten Island Community Tennis Center will operate like any
other tennis club, said Buxbaum, 28, who is also a teaching
professional on Staten Island. The center will host leagues,
tournaments and offer lessons, he said.
To learn more about the center and membership fees, call the Staten
Island Community Tennis Center at (718) 356-2959.
