Randall's Island Tennis Court Expansion Worries Advocates

Randall's Island Tennis Court Expansion Worries Advocates

November 7, 2011 9:09pm | By Jeff Mays, DNAinfo Reporter/Producer

 

 

John McEnroe joked about playing at Randall's Island when the fields were a little more seedy in the 1970s. (DNAinfo/Gabriela Resto-Montero)

HARLEM — Park advocates are worried that poor communities in East Harlem and the South Bronx are being shortchanged by plans to add nine additional tennis courts on Randall's Island as part of a multi-million dollar expansion.

The $19 million Sportime tennis center on the island, located between East Harlem and the South Bronx, includes a tennis academy run by tennis great John McEnroe.

Despite the proximity to neighborhoods with need for youth programming, community members said the tennis fees charged by Sportime make it inaccessible to kids and adults in East Harlem and the South Bronx.

Yearly memberships can cost upward of $1,000, while daily fees can range from $10 to $20 per person.

"People from East Harlem and the South Bronx are not using the facility. They are not the target audience," said Geoffrey Croft, president of New York City Park Advocates.

Read more: http://www.dnainfo.com/20111107/harlem/expansion-of-randalls-island-tennis-program-question?utm_content=chiefcharley472%40gmail.com&utm_source=VerticalResponse&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=Randall%27s%20Island%20Tennis%20Court%20Expansion%20Worries%20Advocates&utm_campaign=Randall%27s%20Island%20Tennis%20Court%20Expansion%20Worries%20Advocatescontent#ixzz1d9eo1zl3