Belfast council grandfathers longtime tennis groups after heated debate over new drop-in policy

The Belfast City Council voted unanimously to preserve playing time for three long-standing community tennis groups while implementing a new, computer-based approach to managing reservations for the city’s two public tennis courts.

The motion, amended during debate and approved 5–0, instructs staff to grandfather the three organized groups (the Dawn Patrol; the Scrappy Losers/Gracious Winners; and a group known locally as the Fuzz), allow each group specified days and hours, convert paper sign-up lists to an online reservation system, and maintain free drop-in play for all residents. Council also reserved the right for the city to take courts for official programs and events.

The decision followed sustained public comment from players who said a January fee-policy change that eliminated paper sign-up lists and imposed a 30-minute yield rule threatened organized doubles play. "This sign up list has been in effect for 30 years and operated fine," Jay Davis told the council, describing weekly sign-ups kept on a clipboard at the courts. David Cohn, who said the groups coordinate more than 40 members and dozens of weekly hours of play, warned the new rule had effectively "killed our tennis community."

Parks and Recreation Director Pam defended the policy change as an equity measure. She told councilors the courts are public facilities, cited federal Land and Water Conservation Fund obligations for maintenance and accessibility, and said a drop-in, first-come/first-served approach opens courts to more residents. "These are the only two public courts in all of the city of Belfast," she said, explaining her view that the sign-up sheets—often preprinted with team names—were not equitable for residents who cannot travel to the park to claim slots.

Councilors pressed both points: some members recounted decades of volunteer stewardship by organized groups who repaired benches, maintained the courts and helped introduce new players. Councilor Mary Mortier argued for "grandfathering" groups that have played for decades; others said a computer-based reservation option preserves both tradition and broader access. City Manager Aaron Herbig and parks staff described a compromise that extends waiting time (from 30 to 45 minutes, in the proposed amendment) and sets explicit parameters for the grandfathered groups.

The council’s motion directs staff to identify the three groups, set clear limits (days and hours) for each group’s reservations, and implement the reservation software so the public can see blocked times without exposing individual names. The motion carried without dissent.

Councilors said they would review how the changes work in practice during the next season and keep the option to adjust the approach if the city sees evidence that the policy undermines either access or community stewardship.

The council’s action resolves the immediate conflict by preserving established community play while creating a transparent electronic reservation system and retaining the city’s ability to schedule courts for programming.