Friends of Reading Tennis Task Force Effort in Full Swing

    By Chrissy Cerretani

 

 

 

The Friends of Reading Tennis Task Force’s (FRTTF) effort to build a new tennis facility at the end of Birch Meadow Drive is in full swing.  At the conclusion of a meeting in December between FRTTF co-founders Lorraine Salter and Kate Kaminer and Reading Town Manager Pete Heckenbleckner, Heckenbleckner finally agreed to support the FRTTF’s effort to take the next step in process, with the understanding that all technical construction plans, schematics, and bids will be forwarded to town Engineer George Zambouras.  Heckenbleckner also granted the task force the opportunity to present their effort to the Board of Selectmen at Town Meeting on April 23^rd.  If approved, the town may contribute up to $200, 000 towards the project.

                 “We had a number of meetings with the Town Manager because he wanted us to prove that it is a worthwhile project,” said FRTTF Co-Founder Kate Kaminer, “We showed him that we had done some serious homework.”

                 “In the end, he (Heckenbleckner) realized that he had a valid group of people to fund and pay for one third of the project,” said FRTTF Co-Founder Lorraine Salter, “On a technical basis it will be a town project, but we will be collaborating with the town every step of the way.”

                 Since that meeting in December, the Friends of Reading Tennis Task Force led by Salter and Kaminer have continued to work diligently researching government grant possibilities that would help reach the estimated project cost of $350,000.  The FRTTF expected to apply for the United States Tennis Association (USTA) grant this February, but after meeting with the USTA’s engineering consultant Dave LaSota, the FRTTF learned that applying for the grant now would be premature and could hurt their chances of being awarded the grant.

“We will re-submit our application to the USTA on September 12^th,” said Salter, “Dave (LaSota) told us that 80% of the money should be in the bank before we apply or it will look poorly on the grant readers.”

The FRTTF has currently applied for the Babson Foundation grant, and will also be applying for the Massachusetts Urban Self Help grant in late August.  If all three grants are approved, the FRTTF will be awarded $35,000, $50,000, and $5,000 respectively towards their effort.

    In addition to applying for organizational and government grants, Salter and Kaminer have teamed up with Reading Resident and expert fundraising “house party” coordinator Connie Swaebe to assist the Friends of Reading Tennis Task Force in their fundraising efforts.  After three fundraising house parties, the task force has raised approximately $11,000 out of the $60,000 they are hoping to raise in addition to the possible grant monies they are hoping to receive.

“The house parties involve people in town that are not only tennis people,” said Kaminer, “They are town meeting members, community activists, school activists, and tennis and recreation enthusiasts.” “Anyone is welcome to attend one of these parties, or host a party if they want,” continued Kaminer, “We would also like to encourage people to participate promptly if possible”

“The presentation that we have created is both emotional and informative,” said Salter, “We outline the current (Reading recreation tennis programs and Reading tennis open tournament) and new expansion programs (challenger tennis, wheelchair tennis, Eastern Middlesex Association for Retarded Citizens program, and USTA tournaments) as well as the financial aspect to the project.” “The feedback across the board is that people love the presentation, they find it tight, engaging, and informative, and they leave believing that this project is doable,” continued Salter, “We are hopeful that people will participate in the fundraising efforts at these house parties instead of leaving with the anticipation of giving a donation later.”

House party attendees have included RMHS boy’s tennis coach Bruce Appleby, Joshua Eaton school activist Mary West, Reading community activist Matt Wilson, Meadow Brook Country Club tennis pro Jason Ronan, and world renown professional tennis photographer and Reading resident Russ Adams.  The FRTTF have fundraising house parties scheduled as far out as May, and these fundraising parties will be hosted by various Reading residents, as well as by RMHS boys and girls tennis teams respectively.

Along with fundraising house parties, the Friends of Reading Tennis Task Force will also be hosting a unisex doubles mixer on March 10^th for levels 3.0-3.5 as well as a Pro-Am Calcutta doubles social event on March 24^th.  Both events will be held at the Woburn Racket Club in Woburn, MA.  (For more information, or if you would like to participate in either event as a player or as a spectator please contact Lorraine Salter at norshore@comcast.com or Kate Kaminer at kkaminer@comcast.com.)

Plans to meet with potential corporate sponsors such as Atlantic Food Mart owner and CEO Arnold Rubin are also a part of the Friend of Reading Task Force fundraising effort, as well as handing out brochures to community members, local businesses, and community centers.

“An estimated 300 people have a connection to the sport of tennis in the town of Reading,” said Salter, “these community members can expect to see a brochure in the mail soon.”

And finally, if you are looking for something to do tonight, the Friends of Reading Tennis Task Force and the Reading Rotary Club are hosting a Texas Hold ‘Em night tonight at the Masonic Hall at the corner of Haven and Linden Streets.  The doors open at 7pm, snacks and beverages will be served, and the game starts at 8pm sharp.  Proceeds will go toward the construction of the Reading Community Tennis Courts.  There are spaces still available, and walk-ins are welcome.

Since December, the Friends of Reading Tennis Task Force have been busy researching, planning, and thinking of fun ways for the community to help get involve in the fundraising effort. Donations are encouraged to be made in any amount.  There are also opportunities for gift recognition donations such as court naming ($20,000), viewing bench with name on plaque ($5,000), display plaques of different levels ($2,500, $1,000, $500), and bricks ($200).

“Each donation allows us to move the project along and motives us to work harder,” said Salter.

 If all goes according to plan, we may see a new community tennis facility at the end of Birch Meadow Drive sooner rather than later.

 

*For more information, or if you would like to give a donation to support the Reading Community Tennis Courts please visit www.friendsofreadingtennis.org ,  or contact Lorraine Salter at norshore@comcast.com or Kate Kaminer at kkaminer@comcast.com

**If you would like to attend a future fundraising house party, or host a fundraising party, please contact Lorraine Salter at norshore@comcast.com or Kate Kaminer at kkaminer@comcast.com