A large group of recreational players based out of the Minoru Park public tennis courts now officially have a unified voice.
The Minoru Park Tennis Association was formed last month and already has over 100 members. All of them play regularly on the five, city-owned courts that are adjacent to the five, private courts operated by the Richmond Tennis Club.
The “community players” said they needed to rally together this spring when there was a proposal for the Richmond Tennis Club to use two of the city courts for evening lessons.
Rather than one or two residents voicing their concerns, the plan to form an association kicked into high gear.
“When notices were posted that those courts were going to be taken through the summer in prime time, people were angry. We wanted to do the right thing and try to negotiate, but make a point about these being public courts,” said association board member Jon Hunter.
“But now having an association, it represents many names and the city gives you more time, rather just one person showing up and complaining. It is a win-win situation.
“The city knows we are organized under a good purpose and that line of communication will now always be open with them.”
The two courts, instead, will be available to the club during off-peak hours, which are typically weekday mornings.
Board member Gino Suarez explained, “The purpose of this association is to promote and support recreational physical activities and social interaction within a multicultural environment through the sport of tennis.
“We are an inclusive association and welcome people interested in learning and/or playing tennis from all levels: beginner, intermediate and advanced, including wheelchair tennis.”
It was back in 2012 when Suarez and others lobbied for improved playing conditions at Minoru — beyond the typical asphalt upgrades.
After being presented with a petition with roughly 300 signatures, the city agreed and installed new “Nova” surfacing — putting the venue on par with the best public courts in Metro Vancouver.
Jerry Lowe, another association member, says up to 200 residents regularly play at Minoru throughout the year and often tourists show up during the summer.
“They stay in the various hotels around us and they are recommended to come and play here,” said Lowe. “It’s like different shifts here. There are the early morning people, the afternoon guys then the dinner shift and they are here until 11 p.m. It’s just continuous.”
Suarez adds the association is not trying to take control of the courts — rather help create a social network among the regular players and establish a close relationship with the city.
“It’s a place where people interact, socialize and have fun. The level is very good here in terms of the sociable part. That’s what we believe when we created this association.
“I think the city was a bit concerned we might try and take some kind of claim to these courts, but we don’t at all. We want to uphold their rules and look out for them as well.”
