CSI builds outdoor tennis structure
Staten Island Advance
Monday, December 22, 2003
 Winter
tennis is a step closer to reality at the College of Staten Island.
A long-awaited bubble dome was erected over the weekend, paving the
way for students and others to enjoy the sport through the coldest
months of the year.
The dome houses six tennis courts, which complement a half-dozen
more outdoor courts.
While the tennis courts are at CSI, they are not to be run by the
college.
The Staten Island Community Tennis Center is leasing the courts from
CSI for 10 years -- at approximately $100,000 a year -- and they
will be open to the public.
"We've been working like crazy to get it done," said Max Buxbaum,
one of the tennis center's founders and an Island tennis pro. "It's
good news for Staten Island ... we're finally here and ready."
The agreement, announced in July, is heralded as a win-win deal --
one that aids CSI during tough fiscal times and provides Islanders
with additional tennis outlets.
The dome also affords more options for year-round tennis players,
who have used five courts at the West Shore Tennis Club in Travis or
joined private clubs in New Jersey or other boroughs.
The new tennis dome is attached to a clubhouse, lockers, lounge and
pro shop.
Students, teams and residents must pay for the indoor courts.
Depending on the time of day, to rent one court could cost from $25
to $44 per hour. Nights are prime time. Leagues can get discounts
and seasonal reservations are discounted, Buxbaum said.
During the school year -- September through the end of April --
students can play for free on the outdoor courts.
Angelo Aponte, CSI's vice president of finance and administration,
said the courts are the latest step in a college master plan that
includes upgrading the women's softball and soccer field with
artificial turf.
He said the tennis courts will benefit CSI's students, as well as
the college's intercollegiate tennis team.
"This is really exciting," Aponte said. "It gives us an all-weather
facility that will only make the programs better."
by Robert Gavin
Reprinted here with permission from the
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