The RSF Tennis Club is proposing to remove a playground, picnic area, and large trees in order to build two new tennis courts and convert an existing one to four pickle ball courts. The addition of two tennis courts brings the total to 12 tennis courts and eight pickle ball courts, and replaces a picnic and playground area that’s adjacent to the horse trail. The open space has mature trees that will require removal, and serves as a landscaped buffer to neighboring homes along Via de la Cumbre.
One of the arguments for the need for additional courts is lack of availability for after-school tennis lessons and matches. Since the county (and RSFA) doesn’t allow lighted tennis courts in the Covenant, tennis and pickle ball are only played during daylight hours. Plus lessons provide income opportunities for the tennis coaches.
Although the two new courts are to be built below grade in an effort to help mitigate sound, adjacent neighbors are concerned about the added noise and unhappy about losing landscaping and an attractive horse trail amenity in exchange for more tennis and pickleball. Plus the extra height in court fencing requires a variance to be approved by the RSFA Board of Directors.
This once again begs the question: When Covenant residents were surveyed in 2022 on what amenities they most valued or needed attention, neither a larger tennis club, a remodeled Golf Club restaurant, nor a new golf snack shack were high ranking priorities. Do members agree with the Association spending upwards of $12 million of their assessment dollars on what looks to be directors’ pet projects paid for by their constituents? It’s hard to know since this Board refuses (despite former Board Director Lorraine Kent’s repeated plea) to ask them.
To communicate directly with your elected Board, email them at: clebeau@rsfaboard.com; ptrubey@rsfaboard.com; sthurman@rsfaboard.com; dgamboa@rsfaboard.com; jsimmons@rsfaboard.com; satkins@rsfaboard.com; and msimpson@rsfaboard.com.