TESD Committee to Make Tennis Courts Decision Friday

Will they stay or will they go?

That's the question the Facilities Committee of the Tredyffrin-Easttown School Board will address Friday afternoon, as they decide what recommendation to make regarding removal of tennis courts at Valley Forge Elementary School.

The committee will meet Friday at 2 p.m. at the school district's administrative offices, located at 940 W. Valley Rd.

The tennis courts have been a hot-button issue since neighborhood residents received a notice in late March that the courts would be removed in a matter of days. The plan to remove the courts—in large part to offset new parking spots—has been in the works for months, but after a public outcry, the district agreed to postpone the demolition.

At a special meeting last Tuesday, about 40 residents pleaded with members of the facilities committee to keep the courts, arguing that they are a neighborhood asset used by all generations. (See attached video of a student expressing his hope that the court will remain.)

The facilities committee explained its reasoning for removing the courts, including stormwater and sinkhole concerns, the cost of maintenance and liability issues. (See attached slide for a more complete list.) 

"The school district priority is for school district function," board member Pete Motel said. "The school district does not have a tennis function. That was how we prioritized this."

See also:

• Tennis Court Demolition Postponed [Updated]
• Tennis Courts to Be Razed Saturday at Local School
• School District to Discuss Tennis Courts Tuesday Night
• Tennis Court Maintenance: What's the Cost?
• Coach: I'll Pay for Tennis Courts