The Glendale City Council meeting on October 1, 2025, spotlighted the ongoing contract with Heart 8, which provides tennis classes to the community. Council members discussed the availability of spaces for students, revealing that while 2,200 spots are offered annually, only about 1,000 students typically enroll. This discrepancy often leads to class cancellations or merges due to low enrollment.

Councilman Rotman raised concerns about the cost to the public for these classes and whether it was factored into the Request for Proposals (RFP). City officials confirmed that while they did inquire about rental rates for tennis courts, they did not specifically request class rates, which can vary widely. Heart 8 proposed a rental rate of $12 per hour, while another vendor, Coach Kularian, offered rates between $8 and $10.

The discussion also touched on public access to the courts. Council members sought clarity on the number of hours the courts would be available for public use when not occupied by classes. Heart 8 indicated 79 hours per week of public access, while Coach Kularian offered 84 hours, showing only a slight difference. The council emphasized the importance of ensuring adequate public access and considered establishing minimum hours for public use in future contracts.

As the council continues to evaluate the contract with Heart 8, the focus remains on balancing community access to tennis facilities with the need for revenue-generating classes. The outcome of these discussions could shape the future of recreational tennis in Glendale.