BREMERTON — One thing all tennis players who use the Kitsap Fairgrounds courts can agree on is that the courts need a lot of improvement.
The courts are barely distinguishable as the lines and color have faded drastically and four of the courts have developed cracks. The walkway between the upper and lower courts is practically nonexistant. And, according to Billie Schmidt, superintendent of operations at the Kitsap County Parks department, the restrooms have been “out of commission” since before she joined the department in 2011.
But all that is about to change.
According to a press release from the county, the total cost of repairs is $65,000. The county has partnered with the Central Kitsap School District — which uses the courts for their tennis league — for another $20,000. Which leaves $45,000, hopefully to be raised in a crowdfunding campaign, though the county is able to provide $30,000 in capital funds, according to a press release issued by Kitsap County.
The campaign, hosted by the National Recreation and Park Association on www.fundyourpark.org, will be shared over social media, allowing anyone who wants to donate to do so. As of Wednesday, March 30, $21,650 has been donated, including the CKSD’s contribution.
Schmidt said the crowdfunding “gets our name out.”
“It says, ‘Hey, we’re doing this project, we need all the support we can get in our community,” Schmidt said. “It’s potentially possible to reach thousands and thousands and thousands of people, because what happens is it’s a social media campaign, so it goes for 30 days. The kids playing tennis for instance, or the tennis leagues, will hopefully share it on their social media, and then their friends will share it on their social media.
“It will just go like a giant web of people, and you potentially get people who have never even heard of you before donating to the fund, because they’re maybe just interested in tennis, or maybe they’re interested in supporting health activities or activities that work for all socio-economic groups.”
Currently, two high schools and one adult competitive league use the courts at the Fairgrounds, as well as members of the general public who just want to play tennis. Schmidt said the goal is to make it easier on everyone, especially since, according to her, the high schools can no longer use the courts due to their deteriorated condition.
“Everybody can play tennis if they so wish,” she said. “It’s not a sport that kicks anybody out, unless you’re going to be competitive, of course. People can just go out there and hit the ball back and forth. It’s an easy sport to take up if you’re interested in just getting out and being active.”
If the crowdfunding doesn’t raise enough money, Schmidt said the county will prioritize the projects and just work down the list. She said some of the projects might be able to be completed outside the funds: a boy scout has approached her with an offer to work on the stairs for an eagle scout project; and Schmidt said her staff and the Washington Youth Academy will be trying to set up better drainage systems so the courts won’t be flooded, which, if they accomplish that, will mean the only cost needed to be covered by the crowdfunding would be the cost to rent the equipment.
On the other hand, if more money is raised than the goal, there are additional projects that could be added.
“The school district has also requested that we put electrical outlets in each of the tennis courts so that they could put a machine in to shoot the balls at the kids. That’s estimated at $5,000,” Schmidt said. “In addition to that, we have some gravel needs for the parking lot to make that ADA accessible.”
Schmidt added, “All age groups can play tennis, all socio-economic groups, it doesn’t discriminate. We’d like to set it up so that everybody could play, as well as if they’re in a situation where they’re in a wheelchair, that they can also get to those courts and play.”
To donate to the project, visit fundyourpark.org/campaign/detail/4368, or visit www.kitsap gov.com/parks to donate directly to the county.
