UDC has brand new tennis courts thanks to a months-long, $2.3 million renovation. Members of the UDC women’s and men’s tennis teams have spent the past three weeks breaking them in, following an August 21st ribbon-cutting ceremony (see the photos below). And now the university is opening the courts to players in the community, through memberships in its Firebirds Tennis Club.
UDC is starting with a three-month pilot program. During this time, community members can join the Firebird Tennis Club free of charge.
The hours of public availability have not been specified, and membership fees following the pilot have not yet been determined. But the public will get a chance to learn more at the UDC Tennis Open House this Friday, September 10th from 3 and 7 p.m.
UDC Director of Athletics Patricia Thomas says people can sign up for memberships during the open house at the tennis courts, which are accessible from both Yuma Street and Windom Place NW. UDC has also updated its tennis courts information page with a link to an online membership registration form.
John Young, a Wakefield resident who has led an effort to regain public access to the UDC tennis courts, hopes people will give it a try. “In order to get the community access the community needs,” Young said, “they will need to sign up for the pilot program, use the courts and provide feedback on how the tennis program should be administered moving forward.”
Young engaged UDC President Ronald Mason, Council member Mary Cheh and ANC 3F on the issue, and organized an online petition in fall 2020. They are confident that UDC will come through with a system that works for everyone.
According to the UDC Firebirds Tennis Club membership signup form, these are the current rules and regulations:
• Firebirds Tennis Club Memberships are issued annually.
• Reservations may be made by e-mailing Firebirdtennisclub@udc.edu. Reservations will be confirmed within 24 hours of receipt. Email Firebirdtennisclub@udc.edu or call 202-274-5024 if you have any questions regarding the tennis facility or the Firebirds Tennis Club.
• Firebirds Tennis Club members may have one (1 hour) reservation standing at a time.
• A Firebirds Tennis Club membership ID is required at check-in (members may report directly to the courts). Please have your membership card with you at all times while you are using the tennis facility.
• Firebirds Tennis Club members may bring one guest per reservation while playing singles. Members may bring three guests while playing doubles.
• Private lessons are prohibited.
• Food and drinks are not allowed on the tennis courts.
• Skating and skateboarding are prohibited.
The University’s intercollegiate teams, general student body, faculty, staff and special user agreements have priority use of the tennis facilities.
Roberta Carroll says
The tennis courts should be open to the public when the UDC team is not using them. Public funds paid for the third time they have been repaired and their should be no charge for DC resident.
George Hofmann says
Sounds like the usual UDC grudging acceptance of the fact that they have neighbors – us.
A great Thank You to Mr. Young for perservering!