Woodland council approves fundraising agreement to advance 11-court tennis complex at community center

The Woodland City Council voted 5-0 on May 13 to approve a fundraising agreement with the Woodland Tennis Club that clears the way for a privately funded, phased tennis complex on the city’s Community and Senior Center sports park property.

The agreement authorizes the tennis club to raise funds toward what staff estimated as a roughly $4 million project and sets milestone targets and reporting requirements. Christine Farrar, the city’s community services director, said, “this agreement does not obligate the city to fund the design, construction, or operation of the complex.”

Nut graf: The council action formally allows the club to resume a years-long fundraising campaign and reserves a parcel at the sports park for the project, while protecting the city from construction obligations unless future, separate license and use agreements are approved by the council.

City staff and the tennis club described the project as an 11-court complex to be built in three phases. Phase 1, estimated at about $2 million, would include earthwork and construction of six courts with lighting and fencing. Phase 2 is estimated at about $1 million to add five more courts. Phase 3, estimated at about $810,000, would add a clubhouse. The city report notes that cost estimates will be updated over time.

The agreement ties fundraising to specific milestones: the tennis club must raise $500,000 within two years of the agreement’s execution; an additional $1.5 million within three years (after which the city and club will reassess present-day costs); another $1.0 million within five years if the club intends to proceed with phase 2; and roughly $810,000 within six years for phase 3. If the club fails to meet those milestones the agreement may be terminated, city staff said.

Beyond dollar targets, the agreement requires quarterly progress reports, preparation of construction documents for city review, and that the club be responsible for construction and construction-management costs. Farrar and City Manager Ken Hyatt said that if fundraising reaches the point of construction, the council would need to approve a license agreement (to allow construction on city property) and a use agreement (covering operations and public access) before any work begins.

Club leaders and volunteer coaches told the council and public they expect the courts to support youth instruction, high-school development, community lessons and tournaments that could draw players and visitors from across the region. James (an instructor associated with the club’s youth program), Phil Sello (club volunteer/organizer), Lisa Lance (club representative) and Margie McWilliams spoke during public comment about existing youth programs, the demand for court time, and the economic activity tournaments can generate.

The council approved the agreement unanimously. Council Member Medina Garcia Cadena moved the item and Mayor Pro Tem Stallard seconded; the clerk recorded a 5-0 vote in favor.

The agreement also includes program-access commitments: the club agreed to make courts available for public use and city programming and to provide lessons “at a reasonable cost” for residents. City staff emphasized that the agreement is limited to fundraising and site reservation; it does not commit the city to fund construction, maintenance, or operations unless and until the council approves further agreements.

Looking ahead, staff said the club will return to the council with construction documents and proposed license and use agreements if the fundraising milestones are met. The council’s action authorizes the fundraising path but leaves final construction and operational approvals for future council decisions.