Carmel Tennis Renovation Frequently Asked Questions What's wrong with what we have? Why can't we fix what we have? Isn't it cheaper? The tennis renovation project is planned to address a number of major issues with the current facility consisting of both significant deferred maintenance and substantial improvements. The areas of focus for the project are: The courts are in need of a major uplift which should be done for clay courts every 10 years but which has not been done at Carmel in collective memory. Court surfaces are irregular with protruding rocks and debris present which creates undesirable and dangerous playing conditions. Court surfaces are in need of proper grading to enhance playability, to sustain court materials and minimize run off. Laser grading of courts needs to be done Deferred Maintenance The renovated facility would have hydro court technology (on the composite courts) which includes subsurface irrigation. This technology will reduce water consumption, composite material expense and minimize surface material run off. Hydro courts will also significantly reduce play disruptions due to above ground watering. These changes will result in measurable savings to the maintenance budget and enhance year round playability. The Facility slope is severe from the lower courts to the upper courts and traffic flow is convoluted The plan includes regrading to minimize slope differences between court groupings, to ease access to all courts and enhance viewing. Regrading the site will create a smooth transition to all courts along a central spine without the need for steps or stairs from the lower viewing area to the furthermost courts. The design will also provide improved viewing areas, court accessibility and site drainage. Additionally court access enhancements will improve overall court utilization and player distribution. Court spacing will be increased to meet safety and USTA standards, provide shaded rest areas and integrate additional viewing areas for all courts. Improved fencing design will provide additional player safety and reduce court to court ball issues. Court Orientation will be corrected. Courts have been added over time in sections and not aligned with solar guidelines. The new master design plan includes reorienting all courts to the proper solar alignment.
Lighting will be improved and enhanced. Currently we have insufficient lighting on five courts and two courts with no lighting. The new design will provide consistent, high lumens lighting for all courts. The general aesthetics of the facility will be improved and enhanced. Shaded viewing areas between court groupings will be added. The pedestrian and maintenance access will be improved and separated. Access points will be more centralized to improve staff interaction with members, player census and player distribution. Why are we spending ($2M) money in a recession? The goal of the tennis facility overhaul at Carmel is to bring the tennis facility into alignment with Carmel s vision and bring the tennis complex up to the standards of the swim complex, golf course and clubhouse renovations. Constant upgrading of our facilities is necessary to maintain a healthy membership level by retaining existing members and attracting new members. Why aren't we paying down debt? One of the milestones that were required to be met prior to final approval of the project was the reduction of the club s outstanding debt by $1 million. This milestone was achieved and exceeded during 2010. Will there be an assessment? Carmel has historically funded capital expenditures from initiation fees and no assessment for this project is anticipated. Why so drastic a change in elevation? It seems like a waste of money. The renovation of the courts includes: completely rebuilding all of the courts adding one incremental court installing new and improved drainage for the tennis complex properly aligning the courts for play adding additional viewing and gathering areas simplifying the traffic flow through the tennis complex In order to accommodate these changes we must reshape the topography of our 4 acre complex. The plan includes redistributing fill within the complex to reduce the need for costly bulkheading and significantly decrease the cost of the project. I don't like hydro turf courts because they are too soft.
The hydro court has a unique subsurface watering system that creates an artificial water table beneath the tennis court. By controlling the level of the water table, optimum moisture in the court surface can be maintained uniformly. For the tennis player, there are great advantages to properly maintained hydro courts compared to a typical clay court. First and foremost, hydro courts stay green and moist 24 hours a day. Typically, clay courts dry out during hot or windy conditions. A perfect playing surface can make a substantial difference in your game. In addition, Hydro Courts do not require as much maintenance. That means less down time and more play time along with lower operating costs. Hydro Courts deliver unparalleled court playability throughout the entire court, anytime during the day, almost every season of the year. Where can we see the latest design and court layout? The latest rendering of the Tennis Renovation Project is available after login within the Tennis section of the Carmel Website or at the link below: http://www.carmelcountryclub.org/files/110413-carmel-mp4f-11x17.pdf Will there be better viewing areas? There will be significantly improved gathering and viewing areas for most of the courts in the new complex. As final renderings become available we will post them to the website for members. Will there be restrooms nearer to the courts. There are no additional restrooms included in the current design due to cost constraints. However, the realignment of the courts along a central spine leading directly to the existing restrooms will significantly improve player accessibility and restroom convenience. Will the old building be torn down? The old tennis shop will be removed as part of the plan. How many courts, Clay v. Hard, will the new facility contain? Why no new courts? The new facility will include 1 additional clay court for a total of 10 clay courts along with 2 hard courts. This configuration allows the club to accommodate 2 team matches on clay courts simultaneously for many of our team formats and more readily accommodate staggered matches for other teams where necessary. The reconfiguration of the courts also provides adequate space to add at least 2 additional courts in the future if play warrants and the club s budget permits it.
Can a maintenance cart pass through to the courts? Maintenance access to all courts is included in the design. When will construction start/end? The current plan calls for construction to begin immediately following the August close of the summer clinics and is expected to last approximately 6 months with a reopen date in Spring 2012. Will all courts be shutdown at one time? This extensive renovation affecting all of the courts will require all of the courts to be closed simultaneously. Closing all of the courts will result in a significant project cost savings and insure the safety of our members and guests during the demolition and construction phases. Where will the leagues play? We are currently contacting other clubs and facilities to secure alternate playing venues. Additionally league representatives will be informed that Carmel will not have a home venue during the fall season. As soon as these arrangements are finalized we will provide access information and court reservation guidelines to the Carmel tennis community. How many courts will be lighted? All 12 courts will have state-of-the-art lighting upon completion of the project. Who is in charge of the renovation project? The renovation Project is being led by board members Tom Hatfield, Chairman of the Facilities Committee, Rick Menze, Chairman of the Tennis Committee and General Manager John Schultz along with assistance from Facilities Committee member Randall Bell and Tennis Committee members Jody Cook and David Smith. Will the pool/swim team be affected? There will be no impact on pool or swim team activities. What was the board vote to spend design money? Why another vote? Friday, May 6, 2011 Memo To the members from Jack Morgan: In the summer of 2010, the Board of Directors outlined a process for the redevelopment of our tennis facility. There were three criteria to be met:
Attain 75 new members from a starting date of January 1, 2010 Cost of redevelopment not to exceed $2 million, and A stable financial forecast for Carmel Country Club. According to our membership director and as of today, Carmel has attained the 45 new members threshold for the Board of Directors to vote on the approval to begin the renovation/construction of the new Tennis complex. At the March 2011 BOD meeting, the board voted to allocate $175,000 for development of plans & specification and permitting. The results from that action are due in mid-june, 2011. I anticipate the BOD will discuss the issue thoroughly and vote whether or not to move forward at their regular meeting on Tuesday, June 28. The Board is committed to our Vision and is well aware of the pressing needs of the tennis membership and the absolute requirements for improvement in the tennis facilities. This memo is intended to familiarize the membership with approval process going forward to avoid any misunderstandings or miscommunication. ~ Jack Morgan, President When will we get a new Head Pro? The search is underway with job postings on May 3 in several web locations including Carmel Country Club, USPTA, Club Managers Association and Career Athletes. Well over 75 candidates have applied as of May 15 with more expected by the close of posting on May 26. Belynda Tharpe is leading a process, which includes several Tennis Committee members, to narrow the list to the top applicants and bring them in for interviews. The timing of the search (in the heart of the season) and the likelihood of the courts being closed for the facility renovation add to the challenge of the process but we already have many high quality applicants. We believe that we will be successful in landing the type of pro that will provide the leadership across all aspects of the tennis program that the membership desires. If you have candidates or thoughts regarding the process please share them with Belynda.