The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
“Theoretically, they could be ready for play by July 2014”
In 1979, one of the first Crested Butte Parks and Recreation amenities was built—the tennis courts at the Four- way Stop. Since then, the courts have lasted with minor repairs performed every now and then, and have hosted hundreds of showdowns between the top local talent, as well as clinics for locals and tourists alike.
In fact, the nets are the first things to go up in the spring and the last thing to come down in the fall, providing nearly six months of tennis for the community. Local tennis coach Jackie Bingham-Levine sees the amenity first-hand.
“Tennis is increasing every year. It’s expanded enormously,” says Bingham-Levine. “It’s a great asset, not just for locals but second-home owners and people here on vacation.”
But just like most things at 9,000 feet, the weather, coupled with use, takes its toll. Cognizant of the situation that the courts have reached the end of their lifespan, Crested Butte Parks and Recreation director Jake Jones has put the courts on his “to do” list.
“The courts have been identified in our five-year master plan, for five years,” says Jones.
“They’re at the stage of becoming unplayable,” adds Bingham-Levine. “There’s cracks forming, paint is deteriorating and roots from the nearby trees are starting to grow up, causing bumps in the courts. Their lifespan has come to an end.”
Unfortunately, more pressing needs arise every year for the town to address, and the courts have been put on the back burner time and time again.
Last year, tennis enthusiasts rallied and approached Jones in an effort to put the tennis courts back on the front burner.
“The tennis community came to me last summer asking what they can do to help,” says Jones.
Replacing the courts with a new post-tension concrete surface would cost $250,000 and includes improving the landscaping in the area as well as building a shade structure. Jones said he would work to line up grants but fundraising was still necessary to make it all happen, to the tune of $40,000.
“We figured out what our cash match needed to be,” says Jones.
The tennis community formed a committee and kicked off the 40 Love campaign, hoping to raise $40,000 in four months, in time to get in on the 2013 spring GOCO (Great Outdoors Colorado) grant cycle.
In the end, $37,000 was raised, thanks to the efforts of the committee and a grant application was submitted. Unfortunately, they were one of 51 applications that cycle and GOCO awarded only eight in the end, and the local application for new courts, improved landscaping and a shade structure was turned down.
“Our cash shortage made us less competitive,” explains Jones.
The committee is back at it though, hoping to find additional money in the community by the end of August in time for the fall grant cycle, though Bingham-Levine realizes it will be tough.
“We’re trying to think outside of the box, approach a couple businesses,” says Bingham-Levine. “Whether they’re interested in tennis, I don’t know. We need thousands of dollars but every little bit helps.”
Jones is familiar with the GOCO grant process and while raising $40,000 was the initial goal, he believes more than that could potentially seal the deal.
“Ideally, we’d like to have another $20,000 raised,” says Jones.
Once the GOCO grant is in hand, Jones and the committee could then go to the United States Tennis Association with an additional grant application, to reach the ultimate goal of $250,000 and rebuild the tennis courts.
“Theoretically, they could be ready for play by July 2014,” says Jones.
But the time to strike is now. If they’re unsuccessful in their second “serve,” then anyone who initially donated to the cause is allowed to take their money back.
“We’re going to take one more shot at it before we regroup,” says Jones.
“If we don’t get the grant, the money goes back and the momentum is lost,” adds Bingham-Levine. “I really want to do it, not just for now, but for future generations.”
