West End residents win right to play free tennis again – Winnipeg Free Press

Because city residents have taken back the right to play tennis at a city-owned tennis facility, this game, set and match will be free.

A years-long battle between a local councilor and dozens of residents ended Thursday when the civic property and development committee agreed to end the lease of the courts at the Cindy Klassen Recreation Complex to a tenant.

“I'm very happy to have him back in the crowd,” Kuhn said. Cindy Gilroy (Daniel McIntyre).

“I'm happy and excited to hear that. I have been fighting for this for a long time. It should never have been rented out.”

The city signed a five-year lease with Sargent Park Tennis Gardens in 2015 and renewed it for another five years. This lease expires on April 30th.

At the time of the first lease, Tennis Manitoba said most of the 140 civilian public tennis courts were in disrepair and would not be repaired for decades due to city budget issues.

Tennis Gardens leased the site for $1 a year, plus a $250 administration fee and taxes. In turn, he ensured the maintenance of the site and the daily maintenance of the courts.

A city report this week said the tenant has failed to make permanent improvements to the site, where about 200 people play tennis.

The city administration offered the city another lease with Sargent Park Tennis Gardens, but last year Gilroy and residents began calling on the city not to renew the lease because adults had to buy memberships. Children under 18 can play there for free.

Romilin Lakap, a resident of the area, who considers himself a tennis enthusiast, should have free access to the courts in this area.

“I've seen the decline of a once-vibrant tennis community here over the last 10 years,” he said.

“My boys learned to play at Sargent Park and went on to become provincial, national and international junior champions.

“I think free access to tennis will bring neighbors and friends back to the sport … (in) a sport that has historically been out of reach for low-income people and newcomers – free access is needed.”

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Kevin Rollason
Reporter

Kevin Rollason is one of the most versatile reporters at the Winnipeg Free Press. Whether covering city hall, the courts, or general reporting, you can count on Rollason to not only answer the 5 Ws—who, what, when, where, and why—but to do so in an engaging and accessible way for readers. .

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