OUR CLUB

Douglas Goodall, LMTC President
December 18th, 2009

Douglas Goodall

As the 09-10 term ends I wanted to thank everyone for their support this last year, and for their encouragement regarding the next. I have been lucky enough to meet many of our members in this last year and it has been a pleasure to get to know them. The board and management have worked hard to keep the club up to the high standards the membership has come to expect, and based on the feedback I have received they have done a good job, I am proud to report.

Most of the work done around the premises has been the design of Diane Bailey with the help of volunteers. I am very pleased with what she has been able to accomplish and still remain within budget. Things are done at a slower pace, though a greater sense of pride is gained by the use of members and local youth.

While those charged with the oversight and function of Lake Murray Tennis Club continue to do their best, the city has continually pushed the renewal of our permit further behind, holding up our efforts to move on our new courts. Our friend and valued partner, Donn Goss, has been heading the project since his first term in 2007. Thanks to Donn our club complies with the city’s requirements for handicap access and paved the way for approval of our new courts. His work and overall contributions will be remembered for years to come. Donn has also continued to maintain the negotiations with the city regarding our occupancy permit. He called to inform me he had finally gotten through to the city representative who assured Donn there would be a meeting scheduled for July 2010 to finalize the permit. Donn also indicated his availability for such matters has been diminished due to other more pressing responsibilities. Losing Donn in negotiaions is a setback, though other equally qualified and connected members are willing to step up and help. This may be the break for which we have been waiting so patiently. We know the city will be charging fees for occupancy and they will be retroactive to 2008. Our hope is the city will recognize our place in the community as an extension to the park and a resource for our youth when considering our fee. After all, we have been able to keep our membership options affordable and wish to continue.

We hosted the Grossmont Valley Boys Individual Tennis Tournament again this year. The players really enjoyed the venue and hoped to return next season. A few of our members who play in the early afternoon were denied courts during the event and voiced displeasure in regard to the tournament. The board had hoped the community and city would appreciate our efforts to support the students and gain goodwill throughout.

The club membership is down from last year, as expected during these difficult economic times. Though currently at a manageable number allowing members more access to the courts at convenient times while generating the necessary capital to maintain the club and remain within budget. When our permit is renewed we will need to raise money to help with the final cost of the new courts. Many fundraising ideas have been presented like, commemorative bricks and walls, tournaments, sponsorships, etc...
An advertising idea, proposed by Terry Ouellette, would include promotional banner posting inside the club grounds though not visible from the street, park, or within the courts themselves. They would be placed
throughout the walkways of the courts. To get a feel of how this might be received by our members I asked several of you and gained mixed opinions, ranging from enthusiasm to complete opposition. I would like to request all interested members email president@lakemurraytennisclub.com
with your feelings about this idea. If you have other ideas for fundraising I would like to read them as well.

I look forward to meeting even more of you, and another great year of tennis and improvements at our club in 2010.