STORY TOOLS

• E-mail story
• iPod friendly
• Printer friendly

Tell us about it

• What would you add to this story? Tell us what we missed.
• Do you have photos from this event? Documents we need to see? Share with us.
• Upload photos & videos
• More ways to get your stuff online and in the paper.

More Tennis

• Sports: Marco travels to Naples for tennis challenge
• Thanksgiving: Islanders serve food, tennis balls
• Local tennis: Mardy Fish to face Xavier Malisse at Swingtime event at Lely

Share and Enjoy [?]

A year has come and gone since the city held a public meeting to discuss priorities for renovating and beautifying Marco Island Racquet Center.

In recent weeks, some items taking precedence have been checked off that list including landscaping, a new seating area, a newly resurfaced hitting wall in the racquetball courts, a pro shop including a machine to accommodate players wanting to re-string or customize rackets and a flagpole donated in memorial of Stan Ross, who enjoyed playing at the center. Bill VanGlabek, supervisor at Marco Island Racquet Center, says it's been quite a process but it feels great to see the improvements coming along.

"It feels great. And we're still not done!" says VanGlabek. "We will be resurfacing the clay (tennis) courts in the next two or three weeks. We are converting to 'classic clay,' which is a new type of surface that doesn't require any water. The underground water system really needed some updating. It's been there for 20 years," VanGlabek affirms.

The new tennis courts will still be soft and appealing to those who prefer playing on clay courts. The new "classic clay" will require very little maintenance and should last at least 10 years. The new fiber resin composite walls in the racquetball courts should last 30 years or more. The next item on the beautification list: art, for the front of the building.

"We would like to add a mural on the racquetball courts, out in the front. It will be donated by John Moulton, he's been an artist for many years, he does a good job. People should enjoy it," VanGlabek says. "But first, Moulton will have to go before the tennis committee, the parks and recreation committee and the arts committee to get the final approval. Facility wise, we'd like to see it happen. Hopefully in the next six months."

The potential mural would include the same logo designed by Moulton which is displayed on the flag pole/memorial for Ross. It would also include a picture of a tennis player. Another project coming soon could be the resurfacing of the two hard courts near the front of the facility.

"It's been a while since we last updated. I really couldn't tell you. It's been at least a year or two since something of this scale has been done," says VanGlabek. "It's nice for the community. It will make them more comfortable. The playing surface will create a better game, safety and it's a nice place to bring the family to play tennis."

Due to recent rate adjustments, a yearly pass now costs residents $25 more than it did last year. The city says the increase is not due to renovations, but rather to recent evaluation of the "going rate" with comparable facilities in Florida.

"The improvements have been done under other accounts. The rate increase was just to keep up with regular day to day operation of the facility. We do a yearly review and compare our facility to other public facilities in Florida. We're trying to keep it updated and reasonable," VanGlabek explains. "Between the courts and the programs we offer, I think it's worth it. The pass entitles them to courts year round at no charge, which they have to reserve one week in advance. We've also started some programming with various "flights," or weekly round robin type formats, that they can participate in. They can do more things now than they could do in the past. It just depends — the more you utilize the facility, the more it's worth taking out an annual pass."

The city also plans to make better use of the facility, by continuing to add more and better programs for the community to enjoy. In addition to City Kids tennis programs, tumbling and adult fitness classes are also held at the center. All Marco Island residents are welcome to play or rent the facility at any time.

For more information, contact Marco Island Racquet Center at 394-5454.