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Tennis Center at Millersville Updates
DECEMBER 16, 2021 – TENNIS CENTER AT MILLERSVILLE PARK UPDATE
The Anne Arundel County tennis community is very disappointed to learn that the Pittman Administration and Recreation and Parks have taken actions that will effectively stop the Tennis Center at Millersville Park project. No specific plans have been provided for moving forward with a tennis center that AACo so desperately needs.
A summary of recent developments follows:
COPPERMINE LEASE REJECTED BY COUNTY COUNCIL
AACo’s attempt to find a partner through an RFP (Request for Proposal) process conducted by the Purchasing Department was unsuccessful. Coppermine, LLC., a Baltimore-based sports club operator, was selected as “best value” by a selection committee. The County awarded Coppermine a lease to design, build and operate the indoor facilities and the tennis center subject to County Council approval.
Compelling public testimony at public hearings supported the tennis center project but opposed a 50-year lease (two 25-year terms) to Coppermine on the grounds that the Coppermine proposal provided uncertain public benefits and would permit operations to expand far beyond tennis including a for-profit health club. On Oct 18th the council rejected the lease with Coppermine by a 4-3 vote.
The Council rejected the lease – they did NOT reject the tennis center project. In fact, Council Members who voted to reject the lease have stated that they support the development of a tennis center at Millersville Park.
IT IS THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE’S PREROGATIVE TO TAKE THE NEXT ACTION
Mr. Pittman and his administration have the authority to move the eight-year Recreation and Park project forward through further negotiations with the bidder, opening negotiations with the second qualified bidder, JTCC (Junior Tennis Champions Center), or through other procurement strategies.
The project funding has been approved by the County Council each year since 2016, and $6.53M is in the budget for the Tennis Center at Millersville Park.
PITTMAN PLANS TO GIVE THE TENNIS FUNDING AND TENNIS SITE TO OTHER SPORTS
A front page article in the Capital Gazette Oct. 29, “Millersville space designated for Coppermine tennis center likely to be used for other recreational sports now” announced that the Pittman Administration plans to abandon the Tennis Center at Millersville Park project. Mr. Pittman hopes to “repurpose” the tennis funding and “reprogram” the Millersville site for sports fields. Mr. Pittman stated, “We’ll make a plan for tennis.” Unfortunately, that plan has no site, no funding, no vision.
LOUISE THOMAS COMMENTARY, CAPITAL GAZETTE NOV. 14
Tennis Alliance Board President, Louise Thomas, wrote of the tennis community’s concern and reaction to these developments in a recent Capital Gazette OPINION column. SEE: “Pittman Playing Politics with Tennis Center Project”
MOVING FORWARD
We do not understand why County Executive Pittman is taking this action. The Tennis Alliance will work through continued advocacy and consultation with the tennis community to keep pressure on our elected officials to keep the Millersville site for tennis and to keep the $6.53M legislatively approved funding for the tennis center
NOVEMBER 20, 2019 -- ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY REC & PARKS ADOPTS NEW STRATEGY
COUNTY CHANGES STRATEGY AND WILL RFP FOR-PROFIT
The Tennis Alliance of Anne Arundel County has accepted a change in strategy adopted by the Department of Recreation and Parks for the development of the Tennis Center at Millersville Park. As presented by Director Rick Anthony, the County will initiate its regular Request for Proposal (RFP) process to procure a for-profit business to design, fund, and build the 8 indoor courts and clubhouse, and operate the new tennis center. Under the new strategy, the Tennis Alliance will no longer partner with the County in the development of the project.
PROJECT PROGRESS
To date, with the enthusiastic and persistent support of the tennis community and citizens of Anne Arundel County, the Tennis Alliance has worked closely with the Department of Recreation and Parks to secure the 33-acre Millersville Park site for a public indoor/outdoor tennis center; to successfully navigate the multi-year County Council budget approval process; and most importantly to secure $6.53M in construction funding for the project to break ground in summer 2020.
OUTDOOR COURTS REDUCED FROM 16 TO 8
The County has decided to reduce project scope where the number of outdoor courts to be constructed by the County has been reduced from 16 outdoor courts (12 hard and 4 clay) to 8 outdoor hard. County Council Chairman Andrew Pruski requested, and the County Administration has agreed to a limitation on the number of outdoor courts to a maximum of 8. The project scope still includes 8 indoor courts.
There is currently no schedule to construct the full 16 outdoor courts design. There are no site development issues at the Millersville Park site that would preclude the construction of the full complement of 16 outdoor courts. Traffic studies for the full project of 8 indoor and 16 outdoor courts have been completed. Storm water management has also been studied for the full project scope and the treated runoff will be managed to leave the site cleaner than at present with untreated farmland runoff.
IMPACTS OF SCOPE REDUCTION
The reduction in scope impacts the Tennis Alliance business plan and its ability to deliver the public benefits integral to its mission as a not-for-profit organization. The change in the County’s responsibilities as previously agreed to, requires a revised Agreement to Lease. The County Office of Law is no longer able to accept the originally planned Agreement to Lease as anticipated in the Letter of Agreement dated 6/7/2017, or a revised Agreement to Lease.
The reduction in outdoor courts from 16 to 8 precludes Arundel County from hosting USTA League Regional events which require 12 outdoor courts. The reduction also limits the number of programs that can be offered to parents, high school players, seniors, adults, and Tennis Alliance not-for-profit program partners. However, Recreation and Parks Director Rick Anthony is confident that the tennis center will be developed with the community’s common vision and public purpose of providing affordable and accessible facilities for Anne Arundel County residents, and he is committed to delivering a public tennis facility at Millersville Park with year-round programs for all ages and abilities.
PROJECT ON SCHEDULE FOR COMPLETION
At this stage, the County plans to issue an RFP for a for-profit business to design, fund and build the indoor courts (8 hard courts) and clubhouse and to manage the operations of the Tennis Center. Rick Anthony, Director of Recreation and Parks, has assured the Tennis Alliance that the public purpose and community benefits of the Tennis Center as it has been envisioned will be maintained and that the project remains on schedule.
The Bidding and Award of a County construction contract is planned for mid-2020 with completion of the outdoor courts expected in early 2021. Depending on the timing of the RFP process, completion of construction of the indoor courts and clubhouse is expected later in 2021.
THE TENNIS ALLIANCE MISSION CONTINUES
In addition to supporting the new Tennis Center, the Tennis Alliance mission continues to promote Tennis for Life! Since 2014 the Tennis Alliance has provided over 250 free community events for youth, families, and the underserved to promote a healthy lifestyle through sport and the benefits and values learned through tennis. The Rackets for Recreation program distributes rackets to high school coaches, youth, and adults. Over 18,000 tennis balls have been kept out of landfills as our RecyleBall program grows each year. The Tennis Alliance provides service hours to high school students. Over 70 tennis players volunteered their time this year to work with Special Olympic athletes, underserved youth in our Hispanic Latino and immigrant communities, and other Outreach programs that partner with non-profit organization. Our 2019 Fall Newsletter reports on some of these programs, Fall 2019 Newsletter
JUNE 2019 -- ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY COUNCIL APPROVES FY2020 BUDGET WHICH INCLUDES $6.5M FOR MILLERSVILLE PARK INDOOR/OUTDOOR TENNIS CENTER
The Tennis Center at Millersville Park project is moving forward.
The tennis center project is included in the Anne Arundel County Department of Recreation and Parks (AACRP) FY2020 capital budget. This budget is part of the County’s FY2020 budget and includes $6.5 million for Millersville Park construction funding, voted into effect by the County Council on June 14.
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Background
THE INDOOR/OUTDOOR TENNIS CENTER FOR ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY
The Tennis Alliance and Anne Arundel County Department of Recreation and Parks have been working since 2013 to develop an indoor/outdoor tennis center at the new Millersville Park, to be centrally located within the County at 1580 Millersville Road.
On June 14, 2019, the Anne Arundel County Council voted to approve the FY 2020 budget which includes $6.53 million for construction of the park and facility in FY2020. (The County Council previously approved $167K feasibility study funds and preliminary planning in FY2016 and $823K in design funds for architectural and engineering work in FY2017.)
Over the last seven years, the Tennis Alliance and the Department of Recreation and Parks have worked together to develop a strategy for a site and have conducted many studies including: market demand, programming, business planning, diagrammatic site planning, costs estimating, and alternative financing strategies. The Tennis Alliance developed a business plan for a self-sustaining tennis center to be operated by a not-for-profit.
To date, with the enthusiastic and persistent support of Tennis Alliance, the tennis community and citizens of Anne Arundel County, the Department of Recreation and Parks has secured the 33-acre Millersville Park site for a public indoor/outdoor tennis center; successfully navigated the multi-year County Council budget approval process; and most importantly to secured $6.53M in construction funding for the project to break ground in summer 2020.
The Tennis Center will provide a much-needed facility that will be a year-round home for tennis in Anne Arundel County, serving all of its citizens.
Tennis Center Need
There is an urgent need for tennis facilities in Anne Arundel County as follows:
- Parking and related services goals
- Outdoor park-like amenities and spectator viewing
- Offices, classrooms, and conference rooms
- Rest rooms, locker rooms,
- Tennis fitness, treatment, and training rooms
- A tennis center building
- Indoor and outdoor lighted courts (including 10U courts, hard courts, and clay courts)
- Work with AA County Recreation and Parks
- Manage and operate a new tennis facility as a not-for-profit.
- Maximize opportunities for county residents to enjoy the game of Tennis as a sport for life.
Tennis Facts
WHY A NEW TENNIS CENTER?
The demand for tennis play, programming, and instruction has experienced dramatic and continuing growth in the last ten years. However, there is a vast unmet need for tennis facilities (especially indoor) in Anne Arundel County.
- Fact: In 2008, there were 19 indoor courts in Anne Arundel County. In 2015, there are 7 indoor courts available to the public (Navy Brigade 6, and Greater Annapolis Family Center Y with 1 fully dedicated tennis court).
- Fact: From 2008-2012, there was a 180% increase in league tennis participation (from 1,836 in 2008 to 3,336 in 2012) and a similar increase in youth tennis participation through 10 & Under Tennis and Junior Team Tennis. From 2012 to 2014 there was an additional 18% increase in league participation (3,946), and Anne Arundel County moved to #2 in the State in the number of teams behind only Montgomery County (with two times the population).
- Fact: Recreational tennis players must travel to nearby counties for indoor courts.
- Fact: Anne Arundel County School tennis courts are unavailable to the public during school hours, resulting in over-demand for limited park facilities.
- Fact: Anne Arundel County is grossly underserved for publicly available tennis facilities. Indoor courts dedicated to public use
- Montgomery County: 47
- Prince George’s County: 33
- Baltimore County & City: 20
- Howard County: 17
- Anne Arundel County: 0
Benefits of a New Tennis Center
- The new Tennis Center will provide a home for tennis for Anne Arundel County residents where they can enjoy and benefit from the sport of a lifetime in a supportive community environment.
- The new Tennis Center will provide a first-class facility for the growth of programming and play.
- The Tennis Center would be a model facility for a community-based tennis development program in Anne Arundel County.
- The Tennis Center would provide a new paradigm for health and wellness through tennis for residents of all ages.
Tennis Center Timeline
October 2012 – Met with Anne Arundel County Department of Recreation and Parks to discuss a potential land use agreement.
November 2012 – “Community Tennis Center” Business Planning began.
January 2013 – Testified in support of the County’s 2013 Land Preservation, Parks and Recreation Plan (“The Plan”) to include a tennis center feasibility study.
April 2013 – Testified before the Planning Advisory Board in support of The Plan.
May 2013 – Testified before the Anne Arundel County Council in support of The Plan.
September 2013 – Tennis Alliance formed.
June 2014 – Website Established, Business Plan Updated.
August 2014 – Initiate a land use feasibility study.
May 2015 – County Council approves $167,000 to complete feasibility and site analysis and planning work.
Jan 2015 – Present Tennis Alliance work with County officials to complete feasibility study and validate site options
June 2016 – County Council approves $823,000 for Architectural Design and Engineering
January 2017 – Anne Arundel County Submits Preliminary Concepts and Receives Public Comment
June 2017 – County Council approves FY2018 Budget with Projected $7.1M in 2019 Budget for Tennis Center Construction Funding
June 2018 – County Council approves FY2019 Budget with Projected $7.1M pushed forward to FY2020 for Tennis Center Construction Funding
May 2019 – County Executive presents his proposed FY2020 Budget which includes $7.1M for Tennis Center Construction Funding in FY2020
June 2019 – Anne Arundel County Council votes to approve FY2020 budget which includes $6.53 million for construction of the Tennis Center at Millersville Park
November 2019 – Anne Arundel County initiates plan for Request for Proposal (RFP) process to procure a for-profit business to design, fund, and build the indoor courts (8 hard courts) and clubhouse, and operate the new Tennis Center.
What's happening in the Design and Engineering Phase?
Architectural and Engineering Design
Anne Arundel County’s Department of Public Works started architectural and engineering work required for the new tennis center in mid-2017. The County Council approved $990,000 in FY2017 for “Studies, Planning, and Architectural and Engineering”.
Project Scope & Reduction in Outdoor Courts
The County decided to reduce project scope where the number of outdoor courts to be constructed by the County was reduced from 16 outdoor courts (12 hard and 4 clay) to 8 outdoor hard. County Council Chairman Andrew Pruski requested and the County Administration agreed to a limitation on the number of outdoor courts to a maximum of 8. The project scope still includes 8 indoor courts.
There is currently no schedule to construct the full 16 outdoor courts design. The reduction in outdoor courts precludes Arundel County from hosting USTA League Regional events which require 12 outdoor courts, and limits the number of programs that can be offered to parents, high school players, seniors, adults and our not-for-profit program partners. However, Recreation and Parks Director Rick Anthony is confident that the tennis center will be developed with the community’s common vision and public purpose of providing affordable and accessible facilities for Anne Arundel County residents, and he is committed to delivering a public tennis facility at Millersville Park with year-round programs for all ages and abilities.
There are no site development issues at the Millersville Park site that would preclude the construction of the full complement of 16 outdoor courts. Traffic studies for the full project of 8 indoor and 16 outdoor courts have been completed. Storm water management has also been studied for the full project scope. The site will be engineered to direct water away from the neighbors’ property and the treated runoff will be managed to leave the site cleaner than at present with untreated farmland runoff.
The Plan Forward
The reduction in scope impacts the Tennis Alliance business plan and its ability to deliver the public benefits integral to its mission as a not-for-profit organization. The change in the County’s responsibilities as previously agreed to, requires a revised Agreement to Lease. The County Office of Law is no longer able to accept the originally planned Agreement to Lease as anticipated in the Letter of Agreement dated June 7, 2017, or a revised Agreement to Lease.
At this stage, the County plans to issue an RFP for a for-profit business to design, fund and build the indoor courts (8 hard courts) and clubhouse and to manage the operations of the Tennis Center.
The Tennis Alliance Organization's Role in Anne Arundel County Tennis
The Tennis Alliance Mission Continues
In addition to supporting the new Tennis Center, the Tennis Alliance mission continues to promote Tennis for Life! Since 2014 the Tennis Alliance has provided over 250 free community events for youth, families and the underserved to promote a healthy lifestyle through sport and the benefits and values learned through tennis. The Rackets for Recreation program distributes rackets to high school coaches, youth and adults. Over 18,000 tennis balls have been kept out of landfills as our RecyleBall program grows each year. The Tennis Alliance provides service hours to high school students. Over 70 tennis players volunteered their time this year to work with Special Olympic athletes, underserved youth in our Hispanic Latino and immigrant communities, and other Outreach programs that partner with non-profit organization. Our 2019 Fall Newsletter reports on some of these programs, Fall 2019 Newsletter
CONTACT Louise at lthomas@tennisallianceaac.com if you are interested in helping the Tennis Alliance or learning more.
For Reference
AACO FEASIBILITY STUDY PHASE 1
AACO FEASIBILITY STUDY PHASE 2
COMMENTS POSTED ON THE COUNTY WEBSITE
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ) ON COUNTY WEBSITE (SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THE LINKED PAGE)
June 7, 2017 Letter of Agreement
NOVEMBER 2019 TENNIS ALLIANCE ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT CHANGE IN PLANS FOR TENNIS CENTER
Message from the Tennis Alliance President November 21 2019
Letter to CE Pittman February 14, 2020
Capital Gazette Opinion February 23, 2020
Letter to Rec and Parks Advisory Board dated March 6, 2020
MARCH 25, 2020 UPDATE
In our November 21, 2020 Announcement (Message from the Tennis Alliance President November 21, 2019 ) we explained the Tennis Alliance is no longer a partner with the County in funding, building, and operating the Tennis Center at Millersville Park. A public meeting was scheduled by Public Works for January 21, 2020, and it was expected that detailed information about the County’s new plans would be revealed. Unfortunately, that information was not provided. The Tennis Alliance has continued to ask for information and to push the project forward.
The Tennis Alliance will continue to advocate for the project to be built with the quality and public purpose originally envisioned. These activities and efforts are described here.
Present Situation
The CORVID 19 crisis is first and foremost for the County and for residents. We expect normal channels of communication with the County will be disrupted for quite some time. We will work as appropriate to keep the project moving forward.
Recent Developments
January 21, 2020 – Public Meeting Held
The Department of Recreation and Parks and the Department of Public Works held a Public Meeting at Millersville Elementary school. Attendees expected to learn about how the County planned to contract with a business, details about the procurement procedure, and the project vision moving ahead. The meeting failed to answer any of these key issues. Local residents were also disappointed in the County’s inability to provide answers to their concerns regarding traffic, well water, and other issues.
January 23, 2020 – Pittman Speaks at Town Hall with Mixed Signals
At the County Council District 4 Town Hall Budget Meeting, County Executive Pittman hedged in his support of the project. (See Pittman quotes in Capital Gazette article)
Feb 14, 2020 — Tennis Alliance Writes to County Executive (with copies to Administration Officials and County Council) asking for transparency and clarification Letter to CE Pitman February 14, 2020. We have received no response from County Administration representatives.
Feb 23, 2020 — Capital Gazette publishes Tennis Alliance Opinion piece calling on the County Executive to commit to completing the Tennis Center project (with the construction funding authorized by the County Council in the FY202 Budget).
Capital Gazette Opinion Feb. 23, 2020
March 4, 2020 — Tennis Alliance Meets with Advisory Board of Recreation and Parks
The presentation emphasized the need for community input into the planning for the project. Letter to Rec and Parks Advisory Board March 6, 2020