Community Meeting Planned to Discuss Improvements to Audubon Park Tennis Courts

I have been playing twice weekly with the 60 member Audubon Tennis Club at the Audubon Courts for 8 years. While I lived on Nashville Avenue initially, with the courts obviously convenient, I have been living in Metairie for the past five years, yet still bypass the closer courts in city park, since the quality of the Audubon courts, as well as the atmosphere and fellowship at Audubon are wonderful. I have already spoken in person to the need to upgrade the showers and bathrooms. Since I often have to proceed to other activities and meetings after playing tennis at Audubon, I usually use the showers there, which do not fully work. Additionally, with only one toilet for each gender, there can be an unfortunate and seemingly unnecessary wait. I urge the Board to upgrade the facility to include TWO showers and TWO toilets for each gender. On a lighter note, starting in 2018, we play a 5 match mixed doubles challenge against City Park Members, and we (Audubon) won 5-0 last year, and 3-2 a few weeks ago, to keep the Trophy! I realize that keeping the courts clay and installing lights have already been highlighted as priorities to those who play tennis at Audubon. Thank you for your ongoing consideration.

Audubon needs to keep its clay courts. If Tulane wants to pay to ADD some hard courts, then that is great.
But there are limited "public"clay courts on the Eastbank .I count 29 between City Park, Audubon and Atkinson Stern Center. Audubon, although not free, is public and anyone can play, unlike some of the other facilities (i.e. country clubs) which are cost prohibitive for most people as well as not being open to all in membership.

Dear all,

This time we shouldn’t play “Christmas” by formulating our wishes only. What ever is planned to do costs money and nobody talks about it so far. It certainly would be helpful to get Tulane and ATC in one room that all wishes can be recognized, valued and as much as possible fulfilled. Tulane is the biggest employee in town with a great tennis team. They certainly have they own agenda. There is no reason not to enter in a constructive dialogue among all parties.

We love our tennis center at Audubon Park! Please change it not-at-all or as little as possible. Clay (Rubico; whatever) rocks. Few things in life are so perfect as is. MV

P.S. Lights would be a plus. : )

We love the APTC facilities and Chris and staff and the sense of community the courts provide. Love the clay courts and would really like lights to encourage more night play, especially for those who work and maybe even some youngsters playing before dinner and homework.

Speaking as a representative of the elder community (I am 83 and have been playing tennis since I was 12), let me implore you NOT to turn Audubon's current soft courts (Rubico) into any form of hard courts (Laycold, Har-Tru, etc.). Hard surfaces are destructive to human joints--ankle, knee, hip, and lower back. If I had not played most of my life on soft surfaces, I would probably not be playing at my present age. If my home courts were to be transformed into hard courts, I expect my playing life would be shortened. One of the many fine features of tennis is that it is a lifetime sport. Please consider that.

My number one concern is the court surface. Keep the courts clay!

At least 10 rubico ( clay) courts are needed and are fully utilized currently at Audubon Tennis Courts
Enhanced bathroom facilities , some additional parking and lights for night play would all be welcomed

I am most interested in keeping the Audubon courts rubico, and not letting them be dominated by the needs of a college team such as Tulane (which chose to ditch its own courts for football).

Over the past decade or so, tennis has been open to more and more players from underprivileged backgrounds. The public courts at Audubon are an important way to make courts available to tennis players of all socio-economic backgrounds in Orleans parish. I'd hate to see fewer courts available to the people of color in our area.

I have lived in New Orleans for almost 40 years and during that time have used and enjoyed the Audubon Tennis Facility. It is so nice to have such nicely maintained and operated rubico courts in uptown New Orleans. Many of the facilities patrons are 50+ years old, and rubico is much gentler on our joints. I urge the Institute to keep the rubico courts when it improves the facilities. Also, this facility is the most affordable, quality tennis in New Orleans. The courts are in high demand when the weather is nice. Please do not reduce the number of courts open to the public. It would be nice of there were lights and the club was open after dark, especially during the heat of the summer. Thank you for your consideration of these comments. James

I'm a local coach/pro & manager of private & public tennis facilities, operations & programming with 18 years experience. A robust junior program is essential; red/orange/green and yellow ball programs are your pipeline of new players and helpful for financial viability. Clay courts are great, but to be a viable tennis operation (more appealing to all tennis players) you should add hard courts. Lights are great. If the politics are favorable, you should add them. You can charge a premium fee for night use to offset the costs. A plan to increase court usage during the dead time of 12-3 weekdays is always a challenge. Please feel free to email me if you would like some ideas to accomplish this...

I am a frequent user of the Audubon tennis courts- more than 50 times a year. I am a member of the Audubon Tennis Club. From my perspective, the number 1 priority should be keeping at least 10 clay courts. Any improvements would be appreciated, but not at the expense of the 10 clay courts. From what I understand, most (nearly all) of users of the courts choose to play on the courts because of the surface. As players age, hard courts take a toll on the knees and hips. I will not be able to play with any frequency, if I have to play on hard courts.

Keep 'em and add lights.

LIGHTS! As Nicole said, these are the best courts in the city, and there are many of us that would like to utilize them in the evening.

As a player for many years there, there are several upgrades that would be essential, including Improved shower and bathrooms, Tennis shop, and at least two additional courts, hopefully with lighting for evening play. There are many weekend hours in particular that have as many as 10 people waiting for court availability, clearly demonstrating that additional courts could be fully utilized.

I'd strongly urge the committee to consider adding lighting to the facility, along with an upgraded clubhouse. Hard courts would be a nice addition as well.

More courts that are fenced in single (instead of two courts within a fence) or had some sort of barrier would get beginners to play more. Also, a state of the art practice wall is always a benefit.

I'm so glad to see ANI prioritizing tennis after hearing the community advocate for this for many years. Although I plan to attend to express specific support for the tennis programming, I am discouraged that both public input sessions are held on the same day of the week (Tuesday) and same time (6-7). This is challenging time for those with children and/or standing commitments on Tuesdays. We expect better access to sharing our input!

I would suggest slight improvements to the "clubhouse/office area" as well as lighting for night play and shade during the summer. In addition, I would create or improve online access to reserving courts/court scheduling/available leagues/lessons/etc.