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Tennis club urges immediate resurfacing of Empark courts, offers $20,000 pledge
Summary
Members and leaders of the Rohnert Park Tennis Club told the council the city's Empark courts are slipping into disrepair, causing injuries and lost programming; club leaders said they will pledge $20,000 toward resurfacing and urged the city to prioritize the project amid broader budget constraints.
A coalition of residents, coaches and Rohnert Park Tennis Club leaders urged the City Council to move immediate maintenance funding to resurface Empark’s deteriorating tennis courts, which speakers said are producing slip hazards and injuries among children and older players.
Anthony Kupa, identified as director of tennis for the Rohnert Park Tennis Club, told the council that courts are “stripped of their paint and all of them are cracked,” and that players — including children in lessons — had fallen and been injured. Several club members said the courts have deteriorated to the point that delaying resurfacing would increase costs and could require a full reconstruction rather than a simple resurfacing.
The tennis club is seeking a split approach: separate the M Park/Empark resurfacing from a larger, over‑budget parks package and bid the urgent resurfacing immediately. Steve Keith, chair of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (accepting the proclamation earlier but speaking now as a community member), and other club representatives described active use of the eight‑court facility by high‑school teams, league players and lessons, saying the courts attract regional players and support local recreation economies.
Pledge and local support: Club leaders said they have pledged $20,000 to the project and are prepared to help generate additional community funds; one speaker said the club has historically contributed maintenance support and equipment donation totaling six figures over decades.
Why it matters: Speakers argued the courts are a regional draw that support local tournaments, lessons for youth and an older adult population that relies on safe facilities for exercise. Several council members thanked residents for the detailed briefing and asked staff to follow up on project timelines and budget options.
Representative quote: “The surface cannot withstand another winter,” Anita (last name not specified) said. “It must return to a safe, playable condition for all the youth and seniors in our community.”
Next steps: Council did not vote on a funding allocation at the meeting. Commenters asked staff to review maintenance budgets and explore options for separating the urgent resurfacing from larger, delayed projects that have come in over budget.
