La Grange Tennis Courts Closed; Agencies At Odds

LA GRANGE, IL – The tennis courts next to Gurrie Middle School in La Grange closed July 1 after the local park district ended the agreement to maintain them.

For three decades, the La Grange Park District and La Grange School District 105 operated under an arrangement for the three courts at Catherine Avenue and 53rd Street: The school district owned the land, while the parks got to use them.

But the park district decided against renewing the deal for another 10 years in May.

According to the park board's meeting minutes, the park district already was struggling to maintain its own facilities without taking care of one it doesn't own.

On July 1, the school district posted a sign at the courts noting the park district had terminated the agreement. It also said the park district had been required to maintain the courts.

Because of the courts' condition, the school district's liability insurer advised the district to close the courts until further notice, according to the notice.

On July 1, La Grange School District 105 posted a notice at the tennis courts next to Gurrie Middle School that they would be closed until further notice. (Courtesy of La Grange Resident)

In an interview Friday, District 105 Superintendent Brian Ganan said the courts are in bad shape, presenting trip hazards.

"We should close it until we do repairs," he said. "We're working with the park district to figure this out. We have had fruitful conversations. We're hoping to have a joint solution very soon."

Ganan said the school district does not use the courts for its curriculum.

The park district also has tennis courts at Gilbert and Sedgwick parks.

In early July, a petition to save the tennis courts was posted on Change.org. As of Friday, more than 430 people have signed it.

Jenny Bechtold, the park district's executive director, couldn't be reached for immediate comment Friday.

According to the park board's meeting minutes, members had to make a decision soon or the agreement would roll over for another 10 years.

The minutes stated, "We would like to continue a partnership, but the agreement should be beneficial to both parties."

Officials said the park district needed to spend $6 million in repairs to its own facilities and parks. If it invested tax money in outside facilities, its deferred maintenance would further suffer, the officials said.

Park board member Brian Opyd said the park district asked school officials what would be best for the schools, according to the minutes. But Opyd said the parks got no solid response.

The board voted unanimously to end the agreement.