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Local Resident Objects to Public Tennis Court Use During Spring Fest

Players enjoy matches at the public tennis courts during Hilton Head's annual Spring Tennis Fest.

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News Summary

The annual Spring Tennis Fest in Hilton Head Island has raised concerns among residents regarding the limited availability of public tennis courts. Resident Justin Wilson expressed frustration on social media, stating that public facilities should prioritize local residents. The event, which attracts numerous college teams, may impact resident access to public tennis courts, prompting mixed community reactions. Facility management noted the positive economic effects of the tournament on local businesses, and future availability of courts is expected to improve as the event progresses.

Local Resident Objects to Public Tennis Court Use During Annual Spring Tennis Fest in Hilton Head

Hilton Head Island is currently hosting its annual Spring Tennis Fest, a college tennis tournament attracting teams from across the nation. This year’s event has raised concerns among residents regarding the availability of public tennis courts.

Key Details

Event Duration: The tournament runs throughout March, with peak activity in the first two weeks.
Public Court Availability: The ten public tennis courts on the island include four at Cordillo Courts and six at Chaplin Community Park.
Resident Complaint: Justin Wilson, an Indigo Run resident, voiced his frustration over limited access to the public courts on the Nextdoor platform, remarking, “Public facilities should first serve the residents that fund them.” His post attracted 109 comments.
Community Reactions: Responses to Wilson’s post were mixed; some residents expressed agreement, while others encouraged a more relaxed attitude towards the tournament.

Background Information

The Spring Tennis Fest, first held in 1986, originally called “Spring Break Tennis,” has grown significantly, drawing 159 teams in 2024. Due to the cancellation of private facilities by the Van Der Meer Tennis Academy this year, the Professional Tennis Registry (PTR) relied heavily on public courts.

Facility Management

All public parks and recreation facilities on Hilton Head are operated by the Hilton Head Island Recreation Association, a nonprofit that has the authority to rent out the courts. The costs for using the public courts are:

$9 per hour for Cordillo Courts
$150 per match for Chaplin Courts

Economic Impact

Frank Soule, Executive Director of the Recreation Association, noted that the event positively affects local businesses, including hotels and restaurants. This complaint was rare; he remarked it was “the first complaint we’ve had in years.”

Future Availability

As the tournament progresses, the third week is expected to have less foot traffic, providing more chances for residents to access the courts. The match schedule and times can be found online, with the last matches set for March 24.

PTR Vice President Julie Jilly expressed her regret that one person’s dissatisfaction focused on just two weeks of the ongoing event.