Troy Park CONCEPT MEETING

November 14th, 2007
Charlie and Linda Brown’s house

Howard County Tennis Patrons held an informal meeting to let interested tennis players know where the project to build a regional tennis center at Troy Park stands and where it is going.

Attendees: Art Tollick, Dave Burnell, Jon Smith, Suzan Lumpkin, Kim Barnes, Bill Mueller, Doug Brooks, Patti Reynolds, Ken Lundeen, Garth Finney, Chuck Morgan, Wren Morgan, Sally Longinotti, Linda Brown, Joe Beitz, and Kalyna Nedilsky,

Topics discussed:

Art Tollick, the newly elected President of HCTP, reviewed USTA player data….the amount of players by county, types of players, frequency of play. Art also reviewed a chart showing the suggested amount of courts per citizen, according to USTA. The data demonstrates a shortage of courts, especially lighted and indoor courts in Howard County.

Art discussed the possible relationship with Howard County allowing the Patrons to lease land at Troy Park at nominal cost. Time frame could be 2009.

There is a need to recruit people, services, money, etc. The initial push is for more emails and accurate emails. Suzan Lumpkin has volunteered to be Volunteer Coordinator and handed out an information package.

The County has asked that the Patrons meet with the Greater Elkridge Community Association. That meeting is scheduled for Thursday, November 15th.

Potential logos were distributed for input. Business cards were also previewed.

HCTP is asking for people to donate $100 each to further the development of the project.

About 50 people have contributed so far, and two donors (Hugh Cole and an anonymous party) have pledged to match contributions received during October and November. Total raised so far exceeds $10,000.

The proposed 25 tennis court layout was reviewed, but it is preliminary as court quantity and type may change. Tentative plans to finance the project through tax-free bonds were also discussed.

UMBC has written a letter and seems eager to participate with programs that will help produce income during lower utilized day hours. HCC has expressed similar interest.

Doug Brooks suggested asking USTA if it is possible to add a surcharge when signing up for leagues. Several attendees expressed interest in wanting to become more involved.

Greater Elkridge Community Association Meeting

GECA Meeting
November 15th, 2007
Norbell School, Elkridge, MD

Howard County Tennis Patrons met with the Greater Elkridge Community Association to discuss their proposal to build a tennis center at Troy Park. The meeting was attended by about 50 Elkridge residents, Courtney Watson (the local delegate), and Board members Art Tollick, Dave Burnell and Lynn Coddington, and tennis supporters Grace Kubofcik, Suzan Lumpkin and LeMont Joyner.

Howard County Recreation and Parks Director, Gary Arthur, first presented the County overall vision for a new 118-acre regional park at Troy Hill in Elkridge. He described access, parking, planned restoration for the Troy Hill Mansion, and plans for multiple types of ball fields. He said because of other projects, the Park would probably not get funded until 2011 or 2012. He then stated that the Recreation and Parks Board recently recommended proceeding to developing a long-term lease for 12-15 acres to HCTP to a build tennis center at the Park. He said that the lease would yet have to be approved by the County Executive and Council, but they hoped that HCTP’s development of the site in 2009 would allow the County to initiate construction of some ball fields earlier than would otherwise be possible.

Art Tollick and Lynn Coddington then described the HCTP vision for the Tennis Center. Art showed data demonstrating the need for additional courts in Howard County, and preliminary drawings of the proposed 25-court layout. Lynn described USTA’s existing tennis program at Elkridge Landing Middle School and the vision to expand youth programs through the Center.

Much discussion followed, much of it very favorable. Local tennis players expressed concern over the scarcity of tennis courts in the eastern part of the County. Some residents expressed strong concern that construction of a park on that site might preclude building a high school there someday. But Gary Arthur reiterated that the site was designated for parkland, not a school site and in fact could not be redirected for any purpose other than parkland under the terms by which Howard County was given the land by the State and Federal Governments. Courtney Watson said concerns about a high school needed to be addressed to the School Board. Representatives from the Elkridge Youth Organization (EYO) expressed interested in potentially partnering with HCTP in developing youth sports programs.