East Harlem – Advocates slam new bid to expand swanky tennis center on Randalls Island
Sportime plans $7 million project on parkland
Park and community advocates are raising a racket over the continued privatization of public parkland on Randalls Island.
The private company that runs a swanky tennis center at Randalls Island Park has announced plans to expand the facility at no cost to taxpayers.
But advocates claim poor players from the South Bronx and East Harlem won’t benefit, because the center operates like a high-priced club, with members shelling out thousands of dollars for lessons and perks.
“The public is losing access to Randalls Island inch by inch and year by year,” said Marina Ortiz of East Harlem Preservation, who in 2009 helped defeat a $50 million deal between the city and private schools for field time at the park.
Built and paid for by Sportime, a company with clubs in the Hamptons, the $18 million tennis center opened in 2009 and boasts 20 indoor and outdoor courts, a cafe and a tennis academy run by pro legend John McEnroe.
Sportime now wants to build nine more courts, a $5 million to $7 million project, said spokesman Ben Schlansky. It pays a percentage of its revenue to the Randalls Island Sports Foundation, the nonprofit that manages the park, but none directly to the city.
The new courts would generate an additional $400,000 to $500,000 per year for the park and “allow Sportime to offer additional adult and youth programs,” said Schlansky, adding that Sportime plans to build on an existing parking lot.
Sportime has vowed to renovate surrounding property as part of the project and Schlansky said four of the nine new courts would be reserved for the public from May to October.
But the tennis players who live nearest to Randalls Island will be shut out from the rest of the courts, said Geoffrey Croft of NYC Park Advocates.
Courts rent for $72 to $105 per hour for non-members, more than most Bronx and Harlem players can afford. Sportime members pay $500 to $700 to join plus monthly dues. “The city is giving away public parkland for private business,” said Croft.
The existing facility was never approved by Community Board 11 in East Harlem but the expansion proposal will undergo the official land use review process. Board 11 will hold a public hearing for December or January, said Matthew Washington, chairman.
He said Board 11 will likely demand more scholarships for East Harlem youngsters.
“Tennis is often seen as an exclusive activity,” he said, noting that Sportime’s license agreement with the city is also under review. “We want to make sure the facility is accessible to everyone.”
Sportime has already provided “hundreds of hours” of free tennis to poor, “under-resourced” children and doled out $300,000 in financial aid, Schlansky said. It reserves 50% of outdoor court time for the general public.
But Councilwoman Melissa Mark-Viverito (D-East Harlem) called the privatization of Randalls Island “a concern.”
BY Daniel Beekman
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Tuesday, November 8 2011, 5:12 PM