An advocacy group whose members want to play racquet sports year-round last week served the city of Coquitlam with a request to match grants from Tennis Canada.
Jeanette MacLean of the Northeast Tennis Society (NETS) made the pitch before the city's recreation committee on Jan. 10, suggesting Coquitlam look at Tennis Canada's two funding opportunities for a feasibility study and to build an indoor racquet sports facility.
Vancouver, Vernon, Salmon Arm and Kelowna have already submitted their bids, she said, noting Tennis Canada has set aside grants to build indoor courts in three cities across the country annually.
NETS, which has tennis players of all ages and levels from the Tri-Cities, Maple Ridge and New Westminster, wants to cover four of the eight existing outdoor courts along Pipeline Road at Coquitlam Town Centre Park at a cost of approximately $4 million.
Coun. Selina Robinson said she would be supportive of helping individual sports. "We have done a lot for team sports," she said of the city.
The committee chair, Coun. Doug Macdonell, directed parks and rec staff to prepare a report on the Tennis Canada program.
"You have put tennis on the radar in Coquitlam," Macdonell told MacLean. "I hope you get what you want."
jwarren@tricitynews.com
