OPTC Membership and Tennis Family, It has been really great to see the courts so active over the last couple weeks of great weather we have experienced--a fitting and deserved ending to a very strange and difficult year! The Board would like to thank each of you for your support and dedication to the club and our fantastic staff during what has been, perhaps, the strangest year in the club’s long history. We started the year with great uncertainty due to the pandemic and the shelter in place orders that threatened our usual opening timelines. Through many conversations with the Cook County Forest Preserve officials we were finally granted the approval to open later than we hoped and follow the phased protocols that Governor Pritzker issued. Thinking back, it is remarkable that Luka, Mirka, and the team were able to launch our opening with such strict guidelines and have the courts and the facility in such great condition! We also were hampered by the CCFP decision to do maintenance on their building, forcing the club to lose courts 1-3 for a few weeks. However, once we were finally able to run at full strength, we opened open safely (abiding by all State and County COVID guidelines) and, thanks to the patience and dedication of OPTC Season Pass Holders, able to enjoy a fun and healthy season of great tennis.
Tennis programs and membership were also affected by the pandemic and the natural concerns for health and the uncertainty of the virus transmission. Luka and the tennis pros have done a fantastic job making themselves available at all hours and trying to accommodate as many of the lesson and group requests as possible, but some of the great junior programs didn’t happen this year and the late start to the season took a toll on both the pro’s and the club’s income for the year. In addition, the membership was slightly down due to concerns of the virus and the late opening. In other years, our fundraising efforts like the Lamb Roast, Fall and Spring social events, and the multiple USTA and local tournaments would have supplied income that carries the club through the winter so the Board made the decision to supplement the loss of fundraising and introduce some Pickleball events which raised approximately $4,000 and exposed many new guests to our club and ignited the interest of many who played the game for the first time.
Financially, the largest single expense line item is the water bill. For those that are unaware, the clay courts have a network of irrigation lines that run underneath the court to keep the clay base moist and ready for play. In contrast, the reason the courts have appeared so sandy and dusty the past ten days is due to the water being shut off and the lines winterized. This water expense runs well over $20,000 annually and is paid in arrears throughout the winter so, given our current state, that balance is even higher this year. For several months, the Board has been focused on strengthening the financial future of the club to avoid being forced to contemplate a larger increase to membership dues next year or having to ask for additional donations from individuals. |
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We are considering three avenues
to address the deficit: |
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The Board has been researching and proposing installation of a dedicated Water Well to irrigate the courts which, once installed, will reduce those annual water bills by over 80%. We secured four bids and identified the desired contractor then had several rounds of discussions with the Cook County Forest Preserve (CCFP) to gain approval. Once approved, we expect to move quickly to install. This is a significant expense but we expect to recoup our investment in less than two years based on the extreme reduction of the municipal water bills. The Board is also investigating how to integrate Pickleball as part of the OPTC's regular programming, targeting only days and times when the courts are historically unused. Pickleball could add a new group of members and much-needed in-season revenues and several Board Members and Season Pass Holders have participated in the recent OPTC Pickleball events. Everyone agrees that it is a very fun game, plays great on clay, and allows competitive play between a wide array of player skill levels. We expect that annual income from Pickleball events and the possibility of increased membership due to the added amenity could match the income of one of our annual fundraising events.
Fundraising. We will be sending out an email in the next few days announcing a raffle with the opportunity to win some great prizes, as well as, helping the club through the winter. We hope to return to a full slate of social and fundraising events as soon as possible. In addition, we continue to be grateful for anyone who might consider a private donation to the club. Please contact an Officer (Richard Moore, [email protected], Kris Kotte [email protected], Evan Markowitz, [email protected], Joellen Reed, [email protected]) if you might be interested in a private donation. |
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We are fortunate to enjoy this historic club, camaraderie and tennis facility and the Board would like to recognize again the dedication and spirit that Luka, Mirka, and all the pros and staff displayed during this crazy, exceptional season. We are already looking to next season and the promise of any early start, be safe and well during the upcoming holidays!
With appreciation,
OPTC Board |
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