MEETING OF COUNCIL - Town of Cambridge

COUNCIL MINUTESTUESDAY 26 FEBRUARY 2013CBTC has requested an increase to the use of its lit courts adjacent to Swanage Avenue(Courts 13, 14, 15 and 16) and to re-commission the public courts adjacent to Frinton Avenue tooperate seven days a week until 10.30pm. This would provide the club with eight lit courts. Theadditional facilities for night tennis are due to an increase in demand by club members (currentlythe CBTC have 27 pennant teams) and the limited availability of the courts to the general public.Swanage Avenue CourtsThe current night use of the Swanage Avenue Courts (13-16) are Monday to Thursday until9.30pm, however, during pennant matches (Wednesday and Thursday evenings) they arefunctional until 10.00pm (in accordance with the CBTC Management Plan).It should be noted that when the lights are switched off (automatic timer), three small LED spotlights remain on for 15 minutes to allow safe exit for players from the courts. In addition, thecourts are now managed by the CBTC head professional (similar to Floreat Park and ReaboldTennis Clubs), where previously the courts were managed by CBTC volunteers. The Town hasnot received any written complaints in relation to the use of the lit courts on Swanage Avenue.In addition to the CBTC, the Town also has two other resident tennis clubs, Floreat Park andReabold Tennis Clubs. Both clubs have lit courts available for use seven nights per week up to10.30pm (Floreat 12 courts, Reabold eight courts). However, for both clubs the hours of nighttime use vary, depending on pennant competitions and public bookings.To seek support for additional use of the courts for night tennis and following advice from theTown, CBTC undertook a letter box drop to approximately 200 residents within 500 metres ofthe City Beach Tennis Club during December 2012. A copy of the letter to residents (approvedby the Town) is provided as an Attachment.A total of 21 responses to the letter were received by the Town during the month of December2012. Of the responses - 19 supported increased use of the courts at night and two wereagainst increased use at night.Two further written comments were received in February 2013. Of these, one respondentsupported the increase in night time tennis, both at Swanage Avenue and Frinton Avenuecourts, the other respondent was against additional night time tennis on Swanage Avenue butsupportive of night time tennis at the Frinton Avenue courts.Copies of the responses and comments are provided as an Attachment.Taking into consideration, the feedback received, the current hours of operation of both FloreatPark and Reabold Tennis Clubs, the management of CBTC courts by a paid professional, andthere having been no written complaints in relation to night use of the courts received by theTown, it is recommended that the Town consider approving the additional use of CBTC courts13, 14, 15 and 16 as follows:Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday until 9.30pmWednesday and Thursday until 10.00pm.Thereby permitting use of the lit courts for three additional nights (Friday to Sunday), and useon Wednesday and Thursday nights until 10.00pm (where CBTC requested use to 10.30pm).H:\CEO\GOV\COUNCIL MINUTES\13 MINUTES\FEBRUARY 2013\C CR.DOCX 147