County Exploring Proposals for Payne Park Tennis Courts

Sarasota County officials have been directed to make  run a no cost to the county.

At the city's May Parks, Recreation and Environmental Protection Board meeting, Jack Colligan of Sarasota County Parks and Rec, said the county is now exploring putting the tennis courts out to bid. 

"[We'll] see what response we get from profit or non-profit [entities]," Colligan said. "It doesn’t mean we are committed to accepting any of it."

A request for proposal, or RFP, has not been put out but Colligan said it should within the next two weeks. A final plan, he added, will probably not be in place prior to October.

The county is hoping for a private, non-profit or hybrid outfit to run the facility. The RFP does not mean the county is definitely turning over operations of the tennis courts; it is just exploring the possibility, Colligan said.

Two major issues, Colligan said, are at the heart of the court's problems. 

Colligan said there is a current clientele of the courts who think it is theirs. "That seems to be the biggest struggle right now," he said. "We know we have some barriers to work through."

He said any new operator of the park must address this issue, too. Kids, he said, must be involved, not just adults. 

Another related issue is court use. Currently there are only around 100 members of the facility. "Hours from noon – 4pm, there is very little play," Colligan said. "There could be a different way of operation, a better way to do business.

"There is a very small percentage of Sarasota County that uses that facility," Colligan added. "The county taxpayers are subsidizing [the courts for 100 people]."

Possible solutions the county is exploring, should nothing come from the RFP, include raising court fees, adjusting operating hours, adding tennis lessons and more tournaments. 

The tennis courts, which are costing the county more than $180,00 a year, could be run similarly to the city 's skate park at Payne Park. 

Last year the city agreed to allow a non-profit, Sk8skool, run the facility to reduce the high maintenance costs. The non-profit runs the park with a pro shop and runs an after school skating program. It has already been able to reduce entrance fees for skaters from $8 to $5 per day.

Unlike the skate park, however, the city of Sarasota will not have the final say or vote for the tennis courts. 

"The city is well aware of where [the county] is looking to go," said Todd Kucharski, General Manager of Parks, Landscape and Environmental Services. "This just creates a possible opportunity of public-private partnership. [We'll] try to make sure the level of play and level of service is continued."

Kucharski added the city will be a part of the process and is aware it won't have the final say. 

One environmental board member, however, disapproved of that plan. "This is a major park in our city," said Elsie Souza. "I’m just speaking for myself, [but] I think the city should have a direct role."

Colligan told the city's environmental board that while the city does not have a final vote, "it doesn’t mean we don’t listen to the city."