The Oliver Tennis Club says it doesn’t need a contract agreement with Parks and Recreation because it just wants to help people stay active and healthy.
Club president Sam Dimou addressed the board last week to discuss reserved court times, a training wall and fees charged to the club.
He encouraged the Oliver Parks and Recreation Society to build a new training wall, similar to the one in Osoyoos, which he noted consists of exterior plywood on a frame supported by steel pipes embedded into the ground. (Dimou said the previous practice wall in Oliver deteriorated and was taken down.)
Dimou also asked the society for reserved court times four days a week in the morning and two days a week in the evening.
“This is something that every organized club requests from their city, but there is never any exchange of money for just having reserved times.”
Dimou said he didn’t understand why the club was charged fees by the society.
“These are public courts, anybody can use them, paid for and maintained by our taxes . . . we are not causing the city any additional expenses.”
Dimou said the club is willing to offer a $200 contribution to the society, but noted the society wants more money.
“Don’t be surprised if you don’t get what you ask for,” he stated.
Dimou also questioned the need for a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), saying there is no need for a contract.
But recreation manager Carol Sheridan said an MOU is standard practice with groups that use recreational facilities. For example, the society has a similar agreement with the lawn bowling club.
Sheridan said they are very happy that the Oliver Tennis Club is promoting the sport, but there is a cost associated with maintaining the courts. She also noted that the society reserves times for the club for court use and special events.
Sheridan said if the society charged the club the going rate for court time, they wouldn’t be able to afford it. Instead, the society only asks for a $400 contribution.
The society plans to deliberate on the club’s concerns and expects to address them at the next meeting.
This spring (in May) the Oliver Tennis Club will be hosting free tennis clinics for people interested in the sport.
