82nd Street Tennis Center May Receive Renovation

STONE HARBOR – During the monthly reports at the Aug. 19 borough council meeting, Council Member Judith Davies-Dunhour head of Beach, Recreation and Tourism, announced beach tag sales are up 4 percent over 2013. Additionally, weekly beach tags increased 16 percent over last year and daily tags increased 24 percent. To date, revenue realized through beach tags is $704,000.
Recreation Director Miranda Duca presented her monthly report to council, saying the 52nd Annual Arts and Crafts Festival was a success. There were 243 vendors present Aug. 2 – 3 and though overall revenue was down 1 percent from last year, Duca is looking forward to making ‘tweaks’ next year to get that number up.
Moving on to new business, Duca revealed a plan to renovate the tennis courts and facility at 82nd Street. She called upon Ryan Knarr, president and director of tennis for the Conrad Weiser Tennis Association in Berks County, Pa. Knarr is also an employee of Stone Harbor Recreation Department and assistant tennis professional at Stone Harbor tennis facilities.
On the phone, Knarr spoke to council and outlined a request (sanctioned by Duca and Davies-Dunhour) to have council apply for Open Space funds with which they could use to draw more tennis players/advocates to Stone Harbor.
“I think what we could do with the 82nd Street facility could be really special, something we could take a lot of pride in,” Knarr said. He spoke of how, with a boost, Stone Harbor could become, essentially, an excellent area for tennis players to visit and train, play, and compete in tournaments. “It could be the only area around that is a first-class facility with grass, clay and hard courts. If we had a facility like this, we could do a lot of special things with our younger kids, our high performance kids, with adults, seniors, tournament level players and players of all abilities. It could be ‘tennis for everyone’ and I think we would have the potential to really be the crown jewel of tennis in southern New Jersey.”
Knarr went on to say that he has a very good working relationship with the U.S. Tennis Association (USTA) Middle States’ Executive Director Marlynn Orlando.
Orlando, Knarr said, is a resident of Avalon and has been aware of everything that’s been going on in Stone Harbor, as far as tennis is concerned.
Knarr was hopeful that Stone Harbor would be set up to host USTA tournaments as early as 2016, following renovations. He pointed out that any tournaments that may occur would likely happen during the shoulder seasons (spring, autumn) to draw more crowds to Stone Harbor, which would arguably increase hotel stays, restaurant and retailer revenues, etc.
“The possibilities with something like this are endless,” Knarr said. He spoke of other unique aspects that could be applied – an exclusive clubhouse where tennis rackets could be sold and restrung; an observation deck for watching tournaments; red, white and blue courts for a “patriotic feel,” and an overall facility appropriate for all tennis lovers.
Certainly not short on ideas, Knarr wrapped up his pitch, highlighting Duca’s initiative.
“These courts are going to be packed from morning to night,” Duca said, detailing the renovation of four clay courts, seven hard courts, and two other hard courts that would be converted into pickle ball courts.
“We’ll be able to appeal to a whole new market. I wouldn’t want to unveil the courts as they are now… not until we have something that is more suitable for Stone Harbor. Because everything in this town is just top notch and I would love for the recreation department to follow suit with this plan. … We need to build tennis back up in our area. We need to showcase all that the sport could be.”
Davies-Dunhour concluded the Beach, Recreation and Tourism report by reiterating of the positive ‘ripple effect’ the renovation of the 82nd Street tennis facility would have for tourism. “People who play tennis at a young age tend to play for the rest of their lives,” she said.
Public Comment
Concerned with the public’s interest, resident Robert Ashman spoke about the 82nd Street tennis renovation. “What type of facility are we talking about here?” Ashman wanted to know.
“Unfortunately, at this time, there is no visual to present,” Davies-Dunhour responded. “It includes finishing the playground at 82nd Street, new fencing, the courts … it’s an entire upgrade of that area, as well as a new building in the middle of the courts.”
“The dimensions of the building (clubhouse) are 10 by 30,” Duca said.
“The reason I’m asking is that one of the requirements for Open Space applications is that you have total public support,” Ashman said. “This is the first time the public has heard about this. And the questions the public will have is: what is it and what will it cost, as well as what is the anticipated revenue? These are questions the public needs answers to before they can support it. I mean, I’m for it. It sounds like a good idea but I don’t know enough about it.”
“Within the application, we have letters of support from the Chamber of Commerce president, the Property Owners’ Association, a couple residents in town and a few local tennis players…”
“I’m just trying to head off the initial problem the Sept. 11 Park had when the public found out about it through the grapevine,” Ashman said.
Mayor Suzanne Walters thanked Ashman for his comments. During resolutions, Walters signed an Open Space application to request funds to renovate the 82nd Street Tennis Courts/Facility.
Stone Harbor Jubilee
The final centennial event, the Stone Harbor Jubilee, is scheduled for Sept. 6. There will be a parade, concert, lobster bake, and fireworks. Tickets are available at Borough Hall.
Freedom Park
The Freedom Park dedication will be held Sept. 11. According to Kramar, the park is three-quarters complete and will be ready in time for the dedication.
Farmer’s Market Extended
During Council Member Joan Kramar’s monthly report, she announced that, due to popular demand the Farmer’s Market would be extended one extra weekend. “From a vendor’s point of view, it is the most successful farmers market in Cape May County,” Kramar said.
The final, extended date for the Stone Harbor Farmer’s Market is now Sept. 14.
“We added a mushroom lady and a pickle guy,” Kramar said.
To contact Bryon Cahill, email bcahill@cmcherald.com.