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Is Reston Any Closer To Indoor Tennis?
RA Board working now to see if there should be a community referendum in 2012.
Nearly a year ago, some of Reston's most dedicated tennis players made their pleas to the Reston Association Board of Directors. Build an indoor facility in Reston, and not only will people use it, it will pay for itself within a few years.
That was at the end of 2010. As the calendar nears the end of 2011 - and the Reston Association lays out its budget for the following fiscal year - the movement has taken only baby steps.
In other words, don't try and get an indoor court reservation any time soon.
"From a staff standpoint, the committees have been plugging away," said Larry Butler, Reston Association Director of Parks and Recreation. "Now it is up to the board to decide."
This year will come and go without a community referendum on the indoor tennis issue. Will there be one in 2012? Perhaps. The RA Board of Directors is currently working on next year's budget and deciding whether to allocate the approximately $75,000 needed for a community referendum.
A referendum gets the issue on the ballot for RA members to vote on it. If the issue passes, then RA is authorized to start spending money to design and build the tennis facility.
Outlining and Completing Tasks
In a motion last January, the board approved a timeline for further investigation of the indoor facility for 2011. Among the highlights:
By the end of February, RA staff would review the 10-year projections for financing costs, construction costs and revenue projections.
By the end of May, those projections would be presented to the RA fiscal committee, which would compare them with previous projections. The report would also be reviewed by tennis advisory committee and parks and planning advisory committee.
By the end of July, there were supposed to be public hearings. While there was one community meeting last spring, hosted by North Point Director Mike Collins, there have not been any others.
"From a general perspective of many years, progress on a community-wide referendum on indoor tennis has been excruciatingly slow and has stalled repeatedly at the RA board level for one reason or the other," says Sridhar Ganesan, a member of the tennis advisory committee.
"I think that there has been some progress made this year, but then it is very slow and everything takes a lot more time than it should or needs," he said. "Progress has been made in many of the tasks that the Board laid out. Hopefully, the board will at least now move to a referendum quickly."
The proposed $3.8 million indoor facility would feature five courts and would be open year-round at Lake Newport.
The largest moneymakers from the facility will come from adult and junior lessons, as well as rental fees from organizations such as the United States Tennis Association (USTA). An earlier study estimated (assuming 60 percent usage) a revenue of $648,651 in the first year, rising to more than $1 million by the fifth year, and a profit after about two years.
The board previously approved up to $4,000 to be spent reviewing projections for revenue and expenses. Butler said the two pro forma studies have stayed within that total.
Show Me The Money
At the September RA board meeting, RA CFO David Hopkins presented financing options as part of the 2011 timeline. None have been approved by the board, but it shows examples of how the association - and members - would pay for the facility (the complete PDF and explanation is attached to this story).
There are three financing proposals:
1. Commercial Bank Option 1 - Loan amount $4,400,000;
100 percent financing, including $550K working capital. Average cost per member unit over first 20 years is $5.60 per year
2. Commercial Bank Option 2- Loan amount $4,400,000; 100 percent financing, including $550K working capital. Average cost per member unit over first 20 years is $4.59 per year.
3. Private Bond Financing - Loan amount $5,640,000; 100 percent financing, including $550K working capital. Average cost per member unit over first 20 years is $2.94 per year.
Some members of the community have been skeptical of building a facility that will be an amenity to only a select group of people in Reston. Others don't want the annual assessment to rise to pay for it if they are not going to use it.
Members of the Tennis Advisory Committee recently submitted a fact sheet for RA Board members to review as they get closer to making a referendum decision. In it, the advisory committee said "it is challenging to quantify the total number of residents and non residents taking advantage of Reston's tennis resources because the courts are not monitored full time."
The tennis advisory committee estimates:
* Its programs reach between 2,000 and 2,500 local players each season.
* Without an extensive survey, it is "impossible" to know the exact number of RA members who are currently using seven indoor facilities within a 20-mile radius of Reston.
* 801 total lesson participants took part so far in 2011 (up from 750 all of 1010 and 554 in 2009). There were 403 players in league play (in 2010, there were 394; 392 in 2009).
Ganesan says he is confident indoor tennis is something Reston needs.
"In general, there is a lot of frustration and fatigue among tennis advocates on this issue," he said. "For over two decades, the tennis advocates have been supporting the need for an indoor facility.
"The RA itself has a top-rated tennis program and staff," he said. "Yet, while many neighboring towns and cities have indoor tennis facilities, it is frustrating for tennis advocates to face such an uphill task just to get the RA Board to go to a public referendum. Let's not let another generation grow old without the benefits of year-round tennis."
For more indoor tennis info click here.
Thanks. We'll email you the next time we update this story.
Skip Endale
10:39 pm on Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) will require companies to book the present value of all future lease payments as a liability on their balance sheets with a corresponding right-of-use asset to comply with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). This will put a lot more debt on the balance sheet. I don't think Reston Association has this kind of money and an increase in fees is a huge burdens for many of the households that operate near or below the poverty line.
Tyrone S Gillum
8:39 am on Thursday, October 6, 2011
There are many ways to look at this issue. Unfortunately, it has been seen only as a cost of funds resulting in : higher assessment fees in far to many instances..
When examined closer, in a short time (2 to 3 years) it begins to be an investment of funds where it makes money for the residents of Reston.
This project is long overdue to get to referendun to let the residents of Reston decide its fate once and for all. The big question is why has this project been stalled for so long within Reston Association not allowing it to be the peoples decision. Let the residents of Reston speak!
Lee McElrath
12:30 pm on Saturday, October 8, 2011
Well said Mr. Gillum.
John Farrell
11:28 am on Monday, October 10, 2011
A referendum costs RA $75-80,000 to conduct.
To pass 30% of the members must participate.
The 1200 RA tennis players constitute less than 3% of the RA membership.
No RA Board member would waste that kind of money on a vote sure to fail.
Suzi Evans
12:10 pm on Monday, October 10, 2011
Don't count the tennis community out. We are willing to walk streets and get the word out. Indoor tennis is a draw for the entire community. Tennis is a great sport for people of all ages.
John Farrell
12:21 pm on Monday, October 10, 2011
In 20 years the "tennis community" has raised $0 toward this facility which contrasts markedly with baseball which has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for its facilities over a similar time frame.
Baseball will make a substantial contribution toward lights at Browns Chapel.
Tennis is set to receive $1.7 million from RA over the next 10 years for outdoor courts with no contribution from tennis players toward those costs.
Ad In
12:38 pm on Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Tyrone, well stated. What Mr .Farrell fails to mention here is that over 1200 members participate in some sort of pay to play tennis activity. This would be lessons,leagues tournaments ect. Over 30,000 members purchased a Tennis/Pool pass in 2011. RA has more than enough tennis patrons to fill this facility twice over!
J.Lane
7:08 pm on Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Select another location for this tin-tent-tennis facility and see how fast this problem goes away. You are attempting to place a commercial building in the heart of North Reston, its pristine lake, prime real estate and down the street from the Olympic pool. Our quiet North Village Road is now an autobahn. It the facility were to even get close to the Butler School of Accountancy usage estimates traffic will be unbearable. Move the venue and your problems are over. How about your backyard?
Jo Ann Baynes
10:30 am on Thursday, October 6, 2011
I agree with Tyrone. Why will our board not allow the residents to vote on a referendum regarding indoor tennis? It is a shame that all of the tennis players in Reston are paying big money to indoor facilities outside of Reston while our board won't even ask the question of it's residents!
J.Lane
7:15 pm on Wednesday, December 14, 2011
"Ad In" cites 30,000 members purchased Tennis/pool passes in 2011. Lets sell just a tennis pass and see those numbers. If a tennis player wants a pool pass, then he may purchase one --you do the math. 28,000 swimmers vs 1200 tennis players. BTW, I play tennis, but do not support this location.
Javier Ferraez
3:41 pm on Thursday, October 6, 2011
It is ridiculous that Reston doesn't have indoor tennis facilities, considering the large tennis community that we comprise.
John Farrell
11:32 am on Monday, October 10, 2011
In what dictionary does "large tennis community" accurately describe 1200 members of a 58,000 person organization.
This project would benefit two extremely groups. That fraction of the 1200 who would play during the 10 weeks of winter and the RA tennis instructors who want year round employment,
Neither group is large enough to pass an RA referendum.
Carl Chancellor
4:07 pm on Thursday, October 6, 2011
Reston needs an indoor tennis facility to serve the city's avid tennis community.
Steve L
4:12 pm on Thursday, October 6, 2011
And an indoor basketball facility as well, kthxbai.
Richard Holmquist
5:06 pm on Thursday, October 6, 2011
Years ago, South Lakes High School would open the gym for basketball on certain days/times. Of course, that requires staff for opening, monitoring & clean-up. Hours would probably be limited to evenings and weekends to avoid conflicts with students. I don't know whether they do it anymore, but supporting it through the community center or RA might be a good idea if it can't come directly from the school budget.
Elaine Killoran
8:56 pm on Thursday, October 6, 2011
A public referendum on Indoor Tennis is long overdue. I am looking at the next, young generation of kids who need outlets for exercise and sports that encourage teamwork, communication and leadership (just play a round of doubles with a friend and you'll see what I mean). Also, it's a sport they can play for life. Let's be creative about partnering with the businesses in Reston and find a solution that's viable and doesn't break the RA bank. It will pay for itself in dollars and sense.
John Farrell
11:37 am on Monday, October 10, 2011
Actually studies done for RA that tennis is a sport played mostly between 25 and 35.
Are there devotees in their 80s? Sure
but by 35 the wear and tear on knees and elbows combined other demands on the time of 35+ populous, participation rates fall of dramatically.
margaret Cotroneo
9:14 pm on Friday, October 7, 2011
Do we not have enough confidence in this community to at least let this matter come to a referendum? I do not see a compelling argument against that next step in any of the comments. Opinions, even educated opinions, will not offer us the kind of fair consideration that this issue (or any community issue for that matter) merits but a referendum is a good next step. Speaking as both a tennis advocate and a community advocate, if an issue has had a life in the community for twenty years, it certainly merits a referendum on the facts.
Sridhar Ganesan
12:38 pm on Saturday, October 8, 2011
The RA is not directly spending cash on this out of its budget to build this facility at the $3.8 mill. estimated cost, there is no cash investment that is going to increase the annual assessment on that account. The proposed Indoor Tennis facility can very soon pay for itself and cover principal and interest even with conservative utilization of the courts. Outside consultants have validated the projections and have said that if anything the revenue projections are conservative. That is why there is support from diversified sources of financing.
The only thing that has not been addressed as yet is the few dollars set aside every year for long-term Repair & Replacement Reserve for the Indoor Tennis facilities. This is a reserve that the RA sets aside for all its facilities whether it is for trails or swimming pools or baseball fields, it is normal for all assets and not specific to Indoor Tennis. Even those few dollars of R&R will very likely get covered if the utilization of court matches many of the always-full Indoor Tennis facilities in the region or by increasing the court fees marginally. Obviously, those few dollars could also be found as savings in other areas of the budget.
The important thing is that unlike other facilities, this can pay for itself, the RA would be providing a much-needed benefit to a good chunk of the community, and unlike other situations, there are financial institutions that think Indoor Tennis is viable and are willing to fund it.
John Farrell
12:05 pm on Monday, October 10, 2011
How does a fraction of 1200 in a community of 58,000 constitute a "good chunk"?
The recent special RA Board meeting on its capital budget show multi-million dollar unfunded capital demands for replacement of the lake dams, intake structures and outlet pipes. Needs that will probably require 5-10% increases in RA assessments if fund from current revenues or multi-million dollar bonds.
Adding a $4 million liability to that capital budget when $1.7 million will be spent over the next 10 years on outdoor tennis courts for 1200 members of a 58,000 member organization is unwise.
Frank Sogandares
12:44 pm on Saturday, October 8, 2011
how about an indoor swim facility?
Suzi Evans
11:31 am on Monday, October 10, 2011
I'm all for an indoor swim facility too !!! Personally, I would never use it.....ever, but I see that many Restonians would use it and it would benefit our swim/dive teams and overall year-round fitness. I support that.
Suzi Evans
10:55 am on Monday, October 10, 2011
I have lived in Reston for 27 years and have always played tennis. Over the years I have paid to play indoors at Worldgate (Herndon), Ashburn, Fairfax and now, I pay the Town of Herndon for 3 days a week of indoor tennis in the bubble at their community center. I do not use the pools in Reston, but my assessments still pay for their upkeep and lifeguards, so that others may enjoy them. Let us not forget that we are a community. You may not partake of all aspects at every stage of your life, but we support the community as a whole. Tennis is a life-time sport. Young children to those well into their 70s and 80s play tennis. Our programs will only improve with an indoor facility, as our pros will be able to conduct year-round programs. For a community this size, indoor tennis is an asset for all.
Suzi Evans
7:37 pm on Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Let's keep looking at the entire community. We have wonderful summer camps, but no decent indoor facility for children to get out of the heat or rain. Our tennis pros have no indoor courts to maintain continuity with their junior players. When you have a tennis lesson scheduled, but it's rained out, the rescheduling gets crazy.
As I've said before. I do not (and I mean ever) use the pools in Reston. Still, my assessment fees go to maintain the pools and pay the lifeguards. I don't complain about that. If I could buy a "tennis pass" without the pool attached, I'd surely do it. We don't lock our outdoor courts. Any Reston resident with a racquet and a can of balls is welcome to use the courts. Tennis is great exercise for all ages. It's fun. It's cheap (when you have courts available) and it doesn't take a lot of equipment.
This community needs to offer it's residents the opportunity to STAY HOME AND PLAY.