Building tennis courts 'foolishness,' commissioner says on The Murfreesboro Post

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Building tennis courts 'foolishness,' commissioner says

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By: MICHELLE WILLARD, Post Staff Writer

Posted: Friday, January 16, 2009 2:38 pm

In these trying times, there’s a better use of taxpayer dollars than building new tennis courts for county school’s teams, Commissioner Mike Sparks (Dist. 11) said.

Sparks spoke against the county spending $1.2 million and trading the old Ag Center in Old Fort Park to the city of Murfreesboro for additional money to build 16 new, lighted tennis courts, while people across the county are losing their jobs and homes.

“I think we need to get our priorities right … we are going to spend this much money on tennis courts out of our development fund and we all see how slow construction has gotten,” Sparks said.

Sparks spoke out during the commission’s debate on terminating the county’s lease on the Ag Center, in exchange for Murfreesboro funding an additional $675,000 for the construction of the courts.

The funds are needed because construction bids came in higher than expected to build the courts in Old Fort Park. County schools previously used the eight existing courts at Old Fort Park next to Kids’ Castle.

With a tight county budget in these lean economic times, the County Mayor Ernest Burgess proposed terminating the county’s lease on the Ag Center as of June 30, 2009, in exchange for the city picking up the additional funds.

County Mayor Ernest Burgess defended the courts by pointing out the money is already appropriated and had been before the recession hit.

“We have tennis teams at our schools,” he added. “And we have football teams and baseball teams. And we have fields and stadiums. We need this for the teams and the public.”

Sparks then suggested the tennis teams use booster clubs, like other local high school sports teams do, to offset some of the county’s cost.

“It’s foolishness in my opinion,” he concluded.

Commissioner Ron Williams (Dist. 8) also expressed concern about the amount of time teams would actually have to practice on the courts, since the agreement with the city allows the Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation Department to schedule times.

“The way this is written right now, we’re left with the same schedule we have right now,” Williams said. The current tennis schedule allows for teams to practice three hours per day, Monday through Friday during non-school hours from Feb. 1-May15 each year.

“It’s not fair for the teams or for the county,” he added.

Burgess said the teams may actually have more time, since 16 courts will be built to accommodate the teams.

“I believe they (Murfreesboro) will be gracious with us and continue to schedule in a fair and equitable basis,” Burgess said.

In the end, most of the commissioners agreed, passing the amendment in a 17-3 vote, with Doug Shafer (Dist. 1), Williams and Sparks dissenting.

The amendment requires the City to pay up to $600,000 for the cost of design and construction of the tennis courts, and in addition the City may spend up to $75,000 on restroom renovation or construction. Additionally, the Ag Center lease between the county and city shall terminate on June 30, 2009.

The city actually owns the land the building sits on and granted the county a long-term lease to use the property until at least 2018, city spokesman Chris Shofner said.

Burgess said if the county continued paying rent on the land until the end of the lease, it would pay between $600,000 and $700,000 to the city over the next 10 years.

Public Hearings
- The commission approved a rezoning and conditional-use permit request by Turner & Associates Realty, 2706 Lascassas Pike, to change existing zoning from residential and commercial to services for a Dollar General store. The vote was 18-2, with Commissioners Jack Black (Dist. 2) and Jeff Jordan (Dist. 13) dissenting.

- The commission approves a rezoning and conditional-use permit request by Andrew Wileczek, located on Franklin Road to change existing zoning from residential to industrial for a variety of services. The vote was 18-0, with three commissioners absent during the vote.

Michelle Willard can be contacted at 615-869-0816 or mwillard@murfreesboropost.com.

Tagged under GROWTH, RCS, RUCO, TENNIS COURTS

Member Opinions:

By: Trvlace on 1/16/09
Ya know, maybe if any moeny we spent went to a local firm paying local's wages I'd be for it no matter what. The goverment should be spending money on projects that benefit the local community ONLY.

By: RonB on 1/16/09
Where would the goverment get that moeny?

By: momx5 on 1/16/09
I rarely think it's foolish to spend money on FITNESS ideas in this day of rampant obesity and indoor loving teenagers...but we are constantly being told there is no money for badly needed additional schools. Now we're spending on TennisCourts? SERIOUSLY!

By: blues2 on 1/16/09
Our elected officials like spending our money like drunken sailors. Our classrooms and teachers need help in educating students and new tennis courts is not the answer. Remember these officials come election time.

By: jeremytn on 1/17/09
I really used to be a big supporter of Mayor Burgess, but he just lost MY vote.

"County Mayor Ernest Burgess defended the courts by pointing out the money is already appropriated and had been before the recession hit. "

That is the most ignorant statement I have ever heard. Its kind of like saying well I know I am losing MY job but I had already decided to buy a new car so I am gonna go ahead and do it.
I am all about a quality education for the children but if they need all these extras,let the people that use them or enjoy watching the games pay for it!

By: Boo on 1/17/09
Could this money not add a new classroom to any of our schools? Or we could at least have restrooms in some of the dinky little portable classrooms that our children and teachers are forced to use. I find it pathetic that Burgess thinks knowing how to play tennis is more important than knowing how to read, writ, and do math.

By: frankstoner1 on 1/17/09
I think folks are missing the big picture here. I am all for education and more and better schools, but I think some facilities and infrastructure benefit the entire community.

Did anyone complain when EACH of the major high shools in town/county built football fields/stadiums (used by only the football/soccer teams for part of the year), baseball fields (used only part of the year), and softball fields, etc etc.

Tennis courts were not built for these schools? Strange. Not sure I have ever heard of that in all the areas of the country I have lived.

Since tennis courts can be used by the high schools, middle schools, and by EVERYONE in the local community all year round, how is this a waste of money?. It benefits many more than just the high school teams. Ever been to Old Fort Park? Lots of older folks playing out there.

I don't hear anyone saying they should bulldoze all but one of the local football stadiums in town to allow for more classrooms to be built. I must be the only one that notices these empty facilities daily.

Build the courts and bring this town up to speed with other areas that value community-based recreation facilities. Well worth it.

Just some thoughts.

By: ItsGood on 1/17/09
What about the expense of the Bart Gordon's approved "Greenway System"? That is being built with free money from the Federal Government ( not sure who is funding the Federal Government do we? ) and then the city has to maintain the Greenways with more tax payer free money.

By: diddlede on 1/17/09
Sparks, Shafer and Williams were very right in their reasons for voting "no" on the Tennis Courts. I am very disappointed in my District Commissioner for voting "yes" on this one.

By: greaterhands on 1/17/09
We have to give up the newly built fire station to have the tennis court. Funny how tennis courts are now more important than peoples lives. Remember this when you go to the polls.

By: Paused on 1/17/09
Cason Lane Academy has tennis courts, can't a high school use those? The elem kids never do.

By: les6216 on 1/21/09
No one has addressed the benefit of having the tennis courts as it relates to tourism. Will these be used for any Spring Fling activities? Even when the economy is sagging, people still participate in their children's sports activities, still need a hotel room, need to eat, etc. If these courts can be of use in attracting collegiate/high school tournaments, they will benefit the local economy by infusing dollars. Our geographic location in the State's center is invaluable and a real boon when competing for events. I would be interested in hearing anyone's knowledge on this subject. p.s.--my kids don't play tennis so I don't have a dog in this fight!!

By: lduke on 1/22/09
I don't think Spring Fling is coming here next go round.