TENNIS MAY COME TO CENTRAL PARK CITY COUNCIL WILL CONSIDER USTA-BACKED PLAN FOR 13 COURTS.

Byline: JUDY O'ROURKE Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA -- Tennis enthusiasts could get a boost under a plan slated to come before the City Council early next year that would build a 13-court tennis center in Central Park with support from the U.S. Tennis Association.

The project would double the number of tennis courts in town, and supporters say it would make the sport more widely accessible.

``We're trying to cater to everyone in the valley,'' said David Schwartz, a private tennis coach and president of the Community Tennis Association. ``We need to have leagues, tournaments and lessons for kids who can't afford the private sector.''

The roughly $6 million center would be built on a patch of land adjacent to the park's sprawling playing fields. The concept, now in the hands of parks and recreation commissioners, features 12 regulation-size courts plus a center court to highlight matches, bleachers, a clubhouse, a pro shop and a snack shop.

The project is part of Central Park's master plan. And the USTA, the nationwide governing body for tennis, told the parks commission that the city should have more tennis facilities. The organization funds grants, and the center's supporters say they will look to other sources for seed money as well.

The community group and the USTA would partner with elementary and middle schools to create in-school and after-school tennis programs, and nationally ranked players would compete in tournaments at the facility, USTA spokeswoman Diane Brooks said. ``This community is busting out with homes being developed, but there's not enough recreation to keep up with it,'' Brooks said.

The city's parks and recreation department offers dozens of tennis classes for tots, beginners, intermediate and advanced players of all ages. Fees for eight-week classes range from $72 to $86, plus $5 for tennis balls and equipment. Shorter programs cost less, while some specialized classes cost more.

USTA charges $85 for a six- to eight-week session, a $14 enrollment fee for league tennis, and membership is $25 a year.

Schwartz said many of Santa Clarita's competitive players travel 50 to 100 miles for events, and at least 1,000 supporters back the preliminary plan.

Parks commissioner Ruthann Levison touted the project's merits and said that while participants may fall into a niche group, the city offers programs for many such groups.

Other key projects on the commission's wish list are enlarging the Activities Center, siting an event amphitheater, designing and building Discovery Park in Canyon Country and adding a segment to the Sand Canyon Trail.

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