Title
Fee Increase for Use of Phoenix Tennis Center (Ordinance S-50007)
Description
This report requests the City Council increase court and light fees at the Phoenix Tennis Center. There will be no financial impact to the City as a result of this item.
Report
Summary
The Phoenix Tennis Center (PTC) is located at 6330 N. 21st Ave. within Washington Park. The PTC is the largest public tennis complex in the Phoenix metropolitan area. Amenities at the PTC include 25 tennis courts, a hitting wall, pro-shop, clubhouse and restroom facilities.
In September 2019, Ragland Tennis Services, LLC (RTS) was awarded the concessionaire contract of the PTC for an initial five-year term with two five-year renewal options. RTS has installed a new online reservation system, scoring equipment and umpire chairs; and upgraded and painted the hitting wall. Additionally, RTS offers discounted or free services and equipment for low-income youth, employs members from the local community, offers wheelchair tennis instruction and play, and has an outreach program to local area schools. RTS has hosted tournaments for local and regional colleges and universities, high schools, and paraprofessional tennis clubs and organizations.
Per the existing contract, RTS has the right to renegotiate any provisions of the agreement, including court fees and light fees at select intervals during the agreement. The current fees were approved nine years ago by the Parks and Recreation Board and the Phoenix City Council in 2014. The current fees are as follows:
Per Person Court Fee
$4.00 Adults per 1.5 hours
$2.00 Juniors per 1.5 hours
$5.00 Light fee added per court for any usage 6 p.m. or later
Due to current inflation rates, increases in minimum wage and rising utility costs, the PTC experienced a 36.3 percent increase in operating expenses between 2019 and 2023.
Staff recommends City Council approve increased fees for the Phoenix Tennis Center to be $6 per adult per 90 minutes and $6 per court for lighting per 90 minutes. Further recommend City Council approve no change to the current juniors fees of $2 per junior per 90 minutes. The fee increase will allow the Phoenix Tennis Center to continue to provide affordable tennis options for the community in alignment with other municipal tennis centers while also providing a quality tennis facility.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
This item was recommended for approval by the Parks and Recreation Board on April 27, 2023.
This item was recommended for approval by the Community and Cultural Investment Subcommittee on June 7, 2023.
Location
6330 N. 21st Ave.
Council District: 5
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Inger Erickson and the Parks and Recreation Department.