The following is the President's address To the members on the opening day.
- Welcome old and new to the new tennis season.
- I hope everyone is having a good time!!!
- Talk about the condition of the courts & the moves to improve them.
We've made a number of significant improvements to the courts and surrounding areas.
Thanks to the City and in part to our lobbying efforts we have a new parking lot. Also after
considerable lobbying the City moved us up on their list of tennis courts needing attention
from # 122 to # 1. Hence, we have a new court surface new nets, new net posts and for the
most part, new fencing.
Most will remember the old patio area with the large cement slabs that were being lifted by
tree routes – well you see what we have now. I like it and I think you will also.
What we have left to go is the acrylic surfacing. The acrylic can only be laid down when
the surface temperature of the asphalt reaches a certain level and the outside weather
conditions are favourable – i.e. no rain. I had hoped that we would have had courts 1 & 2
done by the end of this week but that is not going to happen.
When the acrylic is laid courts 1 & 2 will be out of service for 1 full week. They will be
playable immediately after that.
Following that we plan to do the same thing with courts 3 & 4 _ although the City seems to
be dragging their collective feet in giving us the approval for the go ahead. I would like to
remind you that your tennis club is funding the acrylic surfacing wholly by ourselves.
Although we requested it, we received:
no funds from Trillium Foundation,
no funds from the Federal Government,
no funds from the Provincial Government,
no funds from the City.
We have had to borrow monies from a number of club members to cover off our shortfall.
Incidentally, because of the manhole on court 4 we, (City, Contractor, your Executive) offset
the nets 6' thinking that the manhole would be a problem if it were in or near the playing
area. As such there was a move by us to seek the City's permission to relocate the nets to
their original position. Since that time the courts have been in full use and the shortness of
space from the baseline to the fence is not a hazard. Therefore, we will not be moving the
nets on 3 & 4.
I have to mention a not so happy event – Mahsa our Treasurer and C Team Captain will be leaving us
to join Payam in the United States. Mahsa has been a stalwart and will be sorely missed.
Payam has been doing his duties as I.T. Director from his remote location at Cornell New York.
On a happier note Mike Pezzack has volunteered to take over Mahsa's treasurer position.
Another change in the executive ranks – Tess Francisco asked to step down as she was finding work
an looking after Willie and little Will too much. Since then Cathy Brown who is away on vacation
right now has stepped in and she will be heading up a committee to run the social activities.
That leaves the position of Vice President still vacant. We are looking for a suitable volunteer.
A number of honoured guests were present and either addressed the gathering or mingled with the
members.
Mike Sullivan Federal Member for York South Weston.
Laura Albenese Provincial Member York South Weston
Frances Nunziata City Councillor Ward 11 York South Weston.
The Pressident closed with the following remarks.
"I would like to read you a statement from the Rules and Regulations found on our website.
Shoes tags must be worn at all times and are non-transferable. Anyone not wearing a shoe tag will
not be accorded members' privileges. Members are encouraged to check shoe tags of all players occupying
courts. "