My name is Andrew Sheets and I currently live in Tampa, Florida. I have been working for the City of Tampa for over a year now and have come in contact with a variety of people. I am employed at The City of Tampa Tennis Complex at Hillsborough Community College, which is one of the largest tennis facilities in the south. There are 16 hard courts and 12 clay, totaling 28. Although over half of our customers are 55 and up, there are also young children, high school students, and the Hillsborough Community College Lady Hawks team that share a love for these courts. This facility is home to many of these people, some of which have found recreation here for the 20 years it has been open. Each year the complex sponsors many events, some of which include a professional tournament for the top 1000 players in the world, high school season and district matches, Division 2 Conference Championships, the three-day a week Round-Robins, and also a school/camp put on by the facility’s pro, Steve Smith, called Tennis Smith. For the past two years, the HCC Lady Hawks have been ranked #2 in the nation under the Community College division. These girls spend on average 4 hours Monday-Friday practicing on these courts, and even more when preparing for districts, regionals, and nationals. Every Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday as many as 40 people come to play in the Round-Robins where they can relax, socialize, and escape life’s daily stress. During fall, winter, and spring, the facility and the Lady Hawks sponsor a once a week, hour long camp called the DollarClinic. Hour long drills and lessons are provided for the less fortunate interested in playing tennis; however, cannot afford it. Racquets are provided for the participants. From 2003-2004, I taught children and did drills with the adults and it was a wonderful experience for me. My co-workers and I have been aware of the fact that the lease on the land expires in March of 2008 and also the possibility that it would be destroyed was there hanging over our heads. In mid-July the possibility became reality when Tampa mayor, Pam Iorio laid off 100 city employees, including me and two of my fellow employees. 75 of the other people laid off were from Tampa parks and recreations. At this time, the city has a plan for the land but no funding. Even if funding DOES become available for them, the facility could sit unused for up to two years. If the complex is torn down, many people will be affected, including the Lady Hawks, Round-Robin enthusiasts, and other estimated 20,000 people that use it each year. Because of how much this could impact not only me but the community, a 20-year attendee, Ed Erickson, and I started a petition and have 160 names so far. Erickson has planned, scheduled, and attended many meetings to fight for the place he has called home for so many years. This issue has been highlighted in many newspaper articles and Iorio better expect more to come her way in the near future!
