Staff photos/Jane Howard Above: Sue Dahlen received recognition at the Cook County Tennis Association annual meeting and dinner at Devil Track Landing Thursday, September 3, 2009. She is retiring from the association’s board of directors. She has been chairing the membership committee and cochaired the winter tennis program.
“It’s been a wonderful year of teamwork,” Cook County Tennis Association President Gene Glader said at the club’s annual meeting Thursday, September 3, 2009 at Devil Track Landing.
A lot of congratulations were handed out that evening because of the efforts of many volunteers who wrote grants and have been helping build the three new tennis courts, new backboard, and storage building west of Cook County High School. The project, which replaced a set of dilapidated courts, is expected to be complete by a September 19 celebration at the tennis complex.
The two other courts that were called the “new” courts before the reconstruction project will now be called the “old” courts, said Rod Wannebo, vice-president of administration and marketing.
The new courts have additional lines on them to accommodate the United States Tennis Association (USTA) Quick Start Program that incorporates new methods to accommodate younger (smaller) players.
“Putting together almost a quarter of a million dollars to do this job is pretty amazing,” said Treasurer Dave Smith.
Left: Jeff Kern (left) shakes hands with Cook County Tennis Association President Gene Glader. Kern received a certificate of appreciation from Glader on behalf of the association for all his volunteer work on the design and construction of the new tennis courts, viewing area, storage building, and backboard.
The club’s membership is up to 95 individuals in 57 families. “We’re still aiming for 100 members,” said Sue Dahlen, membership chair. More people than usual sent in extra money with their dues this year, she said. Extra donations totaling over $1,200 were added to close to $2,000 in membership dues.
Vice President of Programs Kathy Bolstad reported on summer programs, which had 56 youth in the spring USTA Junior Team Tennis Program and 47 youth in the summer USTA National Junior Tennis League. Twentyfive players of various ages, an average of 11 each week, participated in the Cardio Tennis Program on Tuesday evenings. The Fisherman’s Picnic tennis tournament was abbreviated because only two courts were available, but 56 people participated nevertheless. “It was amazing,” said Bolstad. “Very fun!”
Lee Bergstrom reported that about 10 kids made up a core junior traveling tennis team. Theywere able to develop their skill by playing against other kids at different levels of ability. She expressed appreciation to Tim Scannell for holding tennis practice with the youth twice a week and said they would very much like to see the school start up a tennis team. Theywould also like to develop league tennis that would give adults opportunity to play competitively outside the county.
Wannebo gave an update on the construction project. Forest Lake Contracting, working with five subcontractors, handled the project. Some landscaping will be completed in the spring because the club is running out of good weather and money, Wannebo said. He thinks they will be about $5,000-10,000 short of what they need, although the final cost is hard to project because of things in the design plan that don’t need to be done or things that were not in the design plan that do need to be done.
One major improvement will be lighting at the new courts. Thenew lights, which focus directly onto the courts and not into the surrounding area, will not be able to be turned on until a pre-programmed time each day and will go off at a pre-programmed time each day (late in the evening). Once they are turned on, they will go down to half-strength about every 60-90 minutes but can be turned on again if people are playing. Theyare efficient lights that are expected to have a low operating cost.
“I think we’re going to have a great tennis complex,” said Wannebo.
The2009-10 board of directors were voted in and will be comprised of incumbents Gene Glader, John Muus, Monica Schnobrich, Rod Wannebo, and new member Craig Peterson.
Gene Glader recognized numerous volunteers who have contributed significantly to the tennis association. He expressed appreciation to Sue Dahlen for her work on the board and as the membership chair. He recognized Hal Greenwood, who “has been the unofficial lobbyist for our organization,” he said. Greenwood solicited support from Representative David Dill, Senator Tom Bakk, and Governor Tim Pawlenty.
Jeff Kern, who drafted numerous conceptual drawings and designed and built a roof over the viewing area, has been “unbelievable,” Glader said. “What you have done for the club is beyond the call of duty.” He said the roof’s design “added a touch of class” to the courts.
Glader thanked Greg Chalmers for “outstanding service…to the tennis association and the community.” Chalmers designed the storage building and oversaw the construction project.
Glader gave Rod Wannebo a certificate of appreciation for “incredible” contributions to the organization over the past several years and during the planning, fundraising, and construction phases of the current project. “Every other day” Wannebo was calling the contractor, showing up at 7:00 a.m. to make sure the lines were placed properly, or taking care of details, Glader said. When Glader became president a year ago, he said, he didn’t know what the president was supposed to do. He said Rod told him, “Don’t worry. I’ll tell you what to do!”
“This whole organization owes an incredible debt of gratitude to Rod,” Glader said.
Wannebo outlined the association’s future goals and challenges, saying that most of the goals it set several years ago – better courts, building the youth team, increasing the number of tournaments, improving the website – have been accomplished. New goals suggested by Wannebo include using tennis to promote tourism, helping new players improve their game, supporting tennis for all ages throughout the entire county, and building a social network – perhaps even a clubhouse.
Tex Hoy stood up and encouraged the club to continue its tight bond of friendship, saying that it’s a special thing. For a small, isolated, sometimes weather-bound community, a bond of friendship is a big asset.
The Saturday, September 19 tennis celebration at the new tennis courts will start with an opening ceremony at 11:00 a.m. followed by a silent auction, lunch, tennis demonstrations, and a mixer lasting until 4:00 p.m. Thepublic is invited to this event.
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