The future of Pacific Beach Tennis Club and Mission Bay Park in San Diego is at stake and hundreds of concerned local citizens showed up recently at a city planning meeting to hear the update. The Pacific Beach Tennis Club (PBTC) is slated to be demolished and rebuilt in a nearby location. Other affected sport venues include the Mission Bay Golf Course, baseball and soccer fields, a natural reserve, water sports, and many other park and recreation offerings.

These community recreational jewels are at the center of the great debate, which are defined by the Mission Bay’s De Anza Revitalization Project. The city’s decision will change the existing footprint of the tennis club and many other community interests. Phil Tan, a director on the PBTC board, has been informing the city planners of the tennis club’s preferences since 2016.

“We are seeking an increase in the number of tennis courts as well as the addition of pickleball courts,” Tan said. “We also need adequate parking to host tournaments, leagues, camps, and other events.  We are also requesting that the new facility is built prior to removing the existing facility so that there is no disruption of activities.”

The almost three-hour community event was held recently at Mission Bay High School and it ended with the city’s vote to support of a plan that will move the current club to the northeast corner of Mission Bay. The footprint appears to provide nine lighted tennis courts with two parking spaces allotted per court. However, missing elements include a club, an entertainment area, and possibly a storage area for tennis.

The Pacific Beach Tennis Club is currently an eight-court facility with lights for evening play. It hosts a small clubhouse with racket stringing services, a community tennis club that offers leagues, mixers, lessons, junior programs and clinics. Three outstanding teaching professionals call PBTC home – USPTA Pros Steve Adamson and Tom Svajda, and Uros Petrojenivic, who all provide lessons, clinics, camps and tournament play for all ages and levels.

The confusing part of the city’s proposal is representatives said nothing in the plan is fixed. All elements are subject to change depending on future environmental and water studies. Also, all other plans might be investigated despite the vote. Several concerned citizens suggested a vote was premature pending the results of these studies. After a long discussion, however, the city voted and the meeting was closed with little public agreement.

Bottom line? The fate of Pacific Beach Tennis Club is a story to be continued through 2018 and 2019. Since there are many other stakeholders and interests competing for the club’s space, it is important for tennis advocates to have their voices heard whenever possible in the future.

“This is a great opportunity to help the planners envision a tennis facility that serves a wide community,” Tan said. “Pacific Beach Tennis Club and all tennis enthusiasts need to let the city know how we feel. That’s our only chance.”

For more information, go to http://www.deanzarevitalizationplan.

To get involved or provide suggestions for promoting a great public tennis facility in the heart of San Diego, please contact Phil Tan at ptphiltan@gmail.com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Special thanks go to Phil Tan and Bruce Hunt for contributing to this report.