We talk to eight local residents and tennis aficionados to get their take on how the City of Toronto should deal with the problem of overcrowded tennis courts. Should more courts (or new ones) be designated for semi-private, fee-supported clubs or should the courts be free for all to use? 

​Jonathan Jacobs, 32
For grassroots tennis, it’s important for community members to be able to get onto courts, otherwise the sport can’t grow. It’s an expensive sport. That’s also why it’s important to have private clubs. You’re going to get different levels of teaching pros. Generally if you’re going to a club, the quality of the programs should run at a higher level. 

Lesley Stoyan, 43
I think all sports anywhere need to be made accessible to everyone of all ethnicities, backgrounds and cultures. If we were to privatize the now public tennis courts, that’s not acceptable. Keeping it a split is a fair option, and devoting hours to private members — that’s great. But especially in city that’s growing so rapidly, we need to be able to offer free community public space. 

Bryon Weinberg, 31
You need both. Tennis is an expensive game, so it helps bring tennis to the communities, and that way people don’t have to pay for it. They can just come out and have a good time. For the upkeep of courts, I think you need private … whereas public, you just kind of show up and it’s first-come, first-served.  

Stephen Kudjerski, 55
Overall, memberships are so inexpensive.… I just don’t get it. That’s what bothers me when people say, “Oh we should have a right to them.” Well, you do have rights to them, but you should also be involved in the community. And being involved means a little bit of a membership [fee].

Elaine Lefeuvre, 50
If it’s a public court and I’ve already paid for it with my taxes, why should I have to pay more? And the courts are empty all the time. Didn’t I pay for this court anyhow? I sort of think our taxes should cover it.

Jon Buck, 45
This court is both, and I like that because it gives everyone a chance to have access. Private courts tend to be on the expensive side and purely public courts tend to be completely decrepit. So I think this system is not perfect, but it’s probably the best.

Stacey Sloan, 42
I think the split between (semi) private and public is a good option.… You can come down during a public time and just wait your turn, and I think that, with kids, that’s particularly important. You can be spontaneous.

Nicolas Pitras, 22
I would say (make them) public because everyone has the opportunity to play even if you don’t want to commit to playing at a tennis club.