By CHUCK NIEDZIALKOWSKI

The Whidbey Island Tennis Association (WITA) was formed in 2001 as a non-profit organization in order to grow the sport of tennis in the Whidbey Island community. Since that time WITA has worked to develop a program that could fulfill that goal while continuing to bring increased exposure and organization of the sport to island residents. Tennis communities develop around resources that are able to ensure play year-round with access, instruction and competition. An indoor tennis facility is clearly the best means to accomplish the end goal of “growing” the sport of tennis in our community. WITA wanted to create a public entity that could bring the experience of tennis to as many people as we could. A community partnership would be needed in order to ensure the viability and economic success of such a venture.

Early in the project the Oak Harbor School District recognized the value of this project and offered an ideal site at the existing North Whidbey Middle School tennis courts. WITA went forward in good faith. WITA President Fred Henninger ran for and was elected to the North Whidbey Parks and Recreation Board on a platform of developing an indoor tennis resource. Unfortunately the dysfunctional administration of the Parks District impeded the project at every turn by delays and impossible administrative requirements.

WITA originally believed that the Parks District was the most logical organization to take on this role but myopic views from the Parks Board about the tennis center’s impact on the pool killed this collaboration. WITA has withdrawn its coordination with Parks Board and hopes to make a partner of the City of Oak Harbor in making this program a reality.

In the mean time, WITA has raised over $1 million in private support for this project and proposes to build and run the indoor tennis facility as a contractor with an ideal triad of city, schools and community interests at heart. WITA recognizes that this move from the Parks District to the city of Oak Harbor moves us to the beginning of the line in negotiations with the city but the community of local tennis players is anxious to see this project move forward through this often, bureaucratic process.

There is still money to be raised and a desire to really turn this into a full community partnership; just as the Fort Nugent Playground project has become. In the long run it is in everyone’s interest not to let this project die. Our community, and particularly our youth need more opportunities to become and remain physically active in a pursuit with no wires, monitors or keystrokes required.

To reiterate, this facility will require no money from the city of Oak Harbor or the school district. It will be built by citizens donations of money, time, services and materials and then given to the city for ownership by the city. WITA asks those citizens who want this project to become a reality to contact their City Council representatives and let them know you would like the city to become a partner in this project.

The city indeed has a full plate with other projects at this time that seem of greater priority. A new downtown development project, major municipal repairs and traffic concerns always seem more important when the growing pains of a young city are being felt. The tennis center should be a relative turn-key operation for the city and school district if they can work out a reasonable agreement with WITA that protects everyone’s interests. However, this city needs quality of life resources that keep people here while inviting tourists and visitors to enjoy the benefits of our active Northwest lifestyle.

Parks, playgrounds, trails and recreational facilities are what make the difference in cities that continue to grow a healthy active lifestyle.

Charles Niedzialkowski is vice president of the Whidbey Island Tennis Association.