Questions about the “Raise the Dome” Proposal
1. What is the Port Hope Racquet Club and who does it represent?
Founded in 2002, the Port Hope Racquet Club (PHRC) was established as a non-profit corporation by a group of dedicated volunteers who were passionate about establishing a community club in Port Hope with the goal of growing the game of tennis. The founding members worked with the Municipality of Port Hope to fundraise and construct the existing three courts (located at 62 McCaul Street ).
PHRC is committed to promoting the game of tennis to the community by providing affordable tennis lessons, summer camps, leagues, events and tournaments (including the inaugural Davis Cup, Summer Smash Charity Doubles Tournaments, tournament for junior players) and more.
In partnership with ACE Tennis, the club is proud to offer high-quality, fun and affordable skilsl-based programs to meet the needs of recreational and competitive players.
The PHRC, run entirely by volunteers, contributes annually towards the maintenance and stewardship of the courts. Our annual charitable doubles tournament typically raises over $3,000 each year for various charities and youth-focused groups.
2. What are the benefits of playing tennis?
There are many benefits to staying physical and mentally active, specifically through learning and playing tennis, including:
· Developing and maintaining physical and mental fitness.
· Building cardiovascular strength.
· Learning flexibility, agility and balance.
· Lowering rates of bone loss associated with osteoporosis.
· Increasing confidence.
· Enjoying opportunities to socialize with friends, families and being part of a welcoming community.
· For teens who are competing at an elite level, tennis can lead to earning a university scholarship.
· To learn more about the benefits of winter tennis, read this article from the Toronto Star.
3. Isn’t tennis enjoyed by a small minority of the community?
Tennis is the sport of a lifetime. It’s also a “low entry” sport where you only need a tennis racquet, a few balls, a pair of running shoes, and a partner or wall, to play.
During the global pandemic, many people discovered the benefits of tennis as a new way of staying physically and mentally fit. Tennis also offered an active way to socialize with friends and others from a “safe” distance.
Membership with the PHRC has grown steadily, drawing individuals from as young as age 4 and up, and from Port Hope and surrounding communities (e.g., Trenton, Cobourg, Peterborough).
4. What is the “Raise the Dome” proposal about?
During the global pandemic, many people discovered the benefits of tennis as a new way of staying physically and mentally fit. Tennis also offered an active way to socialize with friends and others from a “safe” distance.
Membership with the PHRC has grown steadily, drawing individuals from as young as age 4 and up, and from Port Hope and surrounding communities (such as Trenton, Cobourg, Peterborough). Of note, in 2022 the PHRC saw a dramatic increase in membership from 90 to 131 members.
In late spring of 2023, the PHRC was presented with a unique opportunity to acquire a 4-court dome that will be redeployed from a tennis club in Toronto. This club is situated on land that is now slated for redevelopment. This means that the dome requires a new home in 2024.
The redeployed dome is owned and managed by All Canadian Sports Management (ACSM) - a Canadian tennis industry leader that is committed to “growing the game” in Canada and a partner of the PHRC through ACE Tennis.
ACSM has chosen Port Hope because of its active and growing tennis community; convenient access to Toronto and the 401 corridor, and the opportunity to “grow the game” in communities east of Oshawa to Belleville and north to Peterborough.
Pending Council’s approval of the club’s proposal to accept the redeployed dome, this would mean significant savings in capital costs as the cost of purchasing and installing a new dome is estimated between $800,000 to $1-million dollars.
5. Why does Port Hope need a tennis dome?
In Canada, only 10 percent of community tennis courts are covered to allow for year-round play. This translates into 1 for every 50,000 people.
Closer to home though, there is no access to a dedicated, indoor tennis facility east of Oshawa to Belleville, or north to Peterborough. This means that for almost eight months of the year, members of our community must halt playing tennis temporarily, or they may travel afar to access an indoor tennis facility. The nearest tennis dome is located approximately 52 kilometres away in Oshawa.
For many people, this lack of access means losing their regular form of exercise and socialization, and a lost opportunity to continue building their skills and strength.
In partnership with ACSM, the PHRC has developed a comprehensive business proposal to bring year-round tennis to Port Hope as early as fall 2024.
6. Who is ACSM or All Canadian Sports Management?
With over 40 years of experience, ACSM specializes in tennis facility development and management, coaching, events and programming. ACSM has a strong partnership with several communities and currently operates community tennis clubs in Toronto, Burlington, Hamilton, Milton and Mississauga, and at the Glendon College Athletic Centre (North York) and Appleby College (Oakville).
Under the proposal, the PHRC will subcontract the fall and winter operations to ACSM (with our agreement with the Municipality will be renegotiated and updated to reflect this change). This means that ACSM will manage all aspects of the fall and winter dome operations including snow removal, pressure monitoring and programming. There would be a separate membership fee for anyone who wishes to play tennis (including taking lessons, playing in tournaments and leagues) during the fall and winter months.
PHRC and ACSM are committed to providing reasonable community access to the tennis courts to help “grow the game”. If the proposal is accepted, ACSM is committed to offering accessible, low-cost or free “learn to play” clinics, outreach programs for the local community, and developing an “in the schools” program. The details will be worked out in cooperation with the PHRC and the Municipality based on community needs and costs.
7. How will we pay for the dome?
ACSM has generously offered the redeployed, 4-court dome to the PHRC so there is no cost to acquiring it. As the owner of the dome, ACSM will be responsible for operating and maintaining the dome during the fall and winter seasons (e.g. snow removal, pressure monitoring). This will be laid out in a new agreement between PHRC, ACSM and the Municipality.
There are capital costs associated with the construction of the fourth court including grade beam construction, electrical wiring, new fencing, and walkway to the dome from the community centre. Therefore, the PHRC must fundraise to cover these costs.
The PHRC has applied for a “Year-round Community Tennis Court” grant (funded by Tennis Canada & Rogers) dedicated to supporting community tennis clubs with developing winter tennis. If successful, this grant (valued at up to $200,000) would go a long way in offsetting the projected total capital costs (estimated at $1 million). A key requirement of this grant is the written approval from the Municipality. We continue to work with municipal staff and Councillors to secure their approval.
We are pleased that the response from our club’s membership and the local community has been very positive with growing excitement and support surrounding the “raise the dome” proposal.
The PHRC has struck a Fundraising Committee and to date, more than $80,000 has been pledged from members, as well as donations in kind. We anticipate more pledges (and later, donations) to follow if we receive Council’s approval for the dome. We have developed a sponsorship package and plan to engage local businesses and individuals to continue raising awareness and funds.
Our proposal has the support from community partners like Trinity College School. Several tennis clubs from surrounding communities have also expressed their support for having a dome in the region as they see the value of year-round access for their members.
8. How can you be certain there’s enough demand to justify having a year-round tennis dome in Port Hope?
Canada’s growing list of tennis players (e.g., Leyla Fernandez, Felix Auger-Aliassime, Bianca Andreescu, Denis Shapovalov) who are competing on the world stage are inspiring people of all ages, to take up the sport.
In 2022, tennis clubs in Calgary, Ancaster, Markham and Waterloo (QB) were awarded a Tennis Canada/Rogers grant to install a tennis dome. Once installed, these tennis clubs have seen significant growth in their membership.
Access to year-round tennis will not only benefit players from Port Hope but we expect it will draw individuals from neighbouring communities. Currently, there is no access to a dedicated, indoor tennis facility east of Oshawa to Belleville and north to Peterborough.
The PHRC has confirmed from its members and tennis clubs from neighbouring communities that there is strong support for acquiring a dome and playing tennis year-round.
9. What is the status of the tennis dome proposal?
· We have received the support of the Municipality of Port Hope, pending meeting certain conditions. We have moved into the pre-construction planning stages and are currently working to revise our contract with the MPH to reflect ACSM’s role in providing high-quality, year-round tennis to the community. Additionally, we are working to meet the conditions necessary to receive the Tennis Canada Grant this year.
10. What is the status of the fundraising campaign?
The PHRC’s Fundraising Committee is committed to raising the necessary funds to cover the remaining capital costs. The response from the local tennis community is very supportive with more than $70,000 pledged to date. The Fundraising Committee will continue to engage the tennis community, local schools and businesses, and the broader community to build support and raise the capital funds.
11. How can you ensure that the local community will have access to the dome?
Bringing a dome to Port Hope is about “growing the game” of tennis and providing greater access for opportunities to learn and play the sport – for members and for the broader community. Anyone can purchase a membership for fall and winter. This will allow members to book a court and participate in a wide range of programs, lessons, and events organized by ACE Tennis.
ACSM shares our commitment to offering accessible, low-cost or free “learn to play” clinics, outreach programs for the local community, and developing an “in the schools” program. Additionally, non-members will be able to book courts at designated times.
These details will be worked out in cooperation with the Municipality and PHRC, based on both community needs and costs.
12. How can I get updates on this dome initiative?
We invite you to check PHRC’s website regularly and sign up for important updates at: raisethedome@phrc.ca