12/11/24 Update
As a result of this meeting, the Park Board passed a motion directing Staff to engage with the Memorial Park South and Killarney Park communities to find out about their priorities with amenity usage. We will keep you posted on the latest developments with these engagements.
Also, the President of VTS spoke at the meeting. This was the content of the speech:
Dear Commissioners and Staff,
Thank you for the opportunity to speak today. My name is Nick Tchernikov, and I am representing the Vancouver Tennis Society. Unfortunately, I am opposed to the motion as is, and would like to humbly propose that the Board consider making one significant amendment. The idea of that amendment would be the directive from the Board to Staff to organize a committee which engages key stakeholders (such as the Vancouver Tennis Society) on the future of Memorial South Park amenities as a whole (including its tennis courts) and thoroughly work on finding opportunities for funding outside of the capital budget for more improvements to be made.
The Vancouver Tennis Society has put on inclusive and welcoming Meetup events for players of all levels at Memorial South Park for several years. The events are easily accessible online, and it has been a great friction-free point of connection for many new tennis players. One common complaint, however, has been the state of disrepair of the tennis courts. There are roots growing from underneath, and the courts are unplayable and unsafe for all but the lowest levels of play (arguably for all), limiting its attractiveness as a park amenity.
I understand that access to the tennis courts is not being removed during construction or after the FIFA construction in 2025 and event in 2026. However, my assertion is that it would be more beneficial to include improvements to all major amenities in “one package” (including the tennis courts) at Memorial South Park during the construction and/or post-event period. For Memorial South Park, this would include resurfacing the courts and removing the root structures underground which are cracking the surface and causing unsafe protrusions.
Tennis Canada has a grant program available for municipalities whereby $100,000 is accessible, specifically for tennis court repair. I would like to urge the Park Board and/or City to tap into this low hanging fruit to help fund tennis court repair, and we are happy to assist with the application process. This $100,000 funding could be used to help fund the repair of the Memorial South Park, so funding is not an unsolveable problem in this matter. We are happy that the city has previously applied and been awarded this funding for repair of the 6 Stanley Park Tennis Courts across the street, and as far as I understand, there is no limitation to applying again in a subsequent year.
Ultimately, I urge the Board to consider directing Staff to gather information from key stakeholders for the post-event shaping of Memorial South Park, and to leave room open for additional improvements, especially where either funding is already accessible or where revenue-generation opportunities are readily possible through initiatives such as “Think Big” initiative passed at the Nov 25, 2024 meeting.
For example, I would be supportive of working with Park Board or City staff to implement revenue-generating initiatives through the “Think Big” Inititiave passed last week and use Memorial South Park as a launching pad — one idea would be sponsorship of individual tennis courts/facility in return for unobtrusive naming rights (think… “The Johnson Family Keeps this Tennis Court Clean.” on a plaque) or look at support for additional outdoor tennis court rental space like the successful Tennis BC Hub outdoor court rentals. Geographically, this would make sense, as Memorial South Park is in an underserved area and the only bookable outdoor tennis courts are in Stanley Park (right across the street.)
In summary, I completely understand the value in holding such a prestigious event such as FIFA in our city, I love soccer myself and I’m excited to attend the event. However, I see a significant opportunity in improving all of the amenities of the park, including the tennis courts. After all, if we are inviting people from across the world to see our best, we should show them our best. I humbly propose that in this case, “our best” would be showing that we care about all sports and amenities in a park and in working extra hard to engage key stakeholders to make it happen.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
12/9/24 Post
Tomorrow, Monday, December 9th, the Vancouver Park Board will vote on spending millions of taxpayer dollars to construct two temporary FIFA World Cup 2026 training sites—one at Memorial South Park and one at Killarney Park. If approved, much of Memorial South Park could be closed off for nearly two years starting in January 2025, limiting access to essential amenities like the running track, playground, and cricket pitch, with no clear long-term improvement plan.
Why This Matters for Tennis Players and the Community
For years, the Vancouver Tennis Society has regularly hosted Meetup events at Memorial South Park—introducing countless newcomers to the game and fostering a welcoming environment for players of all ages and skill levels. Despite growing demand, these tennis courts remain in poor condition and go underused because of their state of disrepair.
A Rare Opportunity for Long-Term Improvement
The Tennis Canada & National Bank “Play Your Court” program offers up to $100,000 in grants to restore public tennis courts. By applying for this funding, the Park Board can create safe, accessible, and appealing courts that will serve the community for decades. Renovated courts will help sustain the thriving tennis culture that the Vancouver Tennis Society has already nurtured, encouraging more community programs, greater accessibility, and a healthier, happier neighbourhood.
But this won’t happen without your input. If the Park Board dedicates millions to a short-term FIFA project without considering lasting improvements, we lose out on a significant community legacy. Let’s ensure they hear from people who know firsthand the value of well-maintained courts and inclusive recreational spaces.
Make Your Voice Heard on December 9th
Sign Up to Speak Before Noon on December 9th:
(1) Visit the link: Park Board Meeting Agenda for Monday, December 9th, 2024.
(2) Click the link next to “Request to Speak.”
(3) Select to speak on Agenda Item 1 and submit your request to speak. You can speak in-person or by phone.
What to Say
– Make it personal. Share your experience with Memorial South Park tennis courts and how much you would love for them to be repaired and improved.
– Encourage the Park Board to apply for the Tennis Canada/National Bank “Play Your Court” grant and invest in long-term benefits.
– Demand transparent communication and a community-informed plan for Memorial South Park’s future.
– Highlight the positive track record of the Vancouver Tennis Society’s events in bringing people to the sport and building community—imagine what we could do with improved courts!
Together, We Can Create Change
The Vancouver Tennis Society’s ongoing engagement at Memorial South Park shows how quality recreational spaces unite us, boost our health, and inspire new players. Now is the time to ensure that our park and its tennis courts remain vibrant, accessible, and well-maintained for future generations. Your voice can make a difference—speak up today!
Sincerely,
Nick Tchernikov
President, Vancouver Tennis Society |
