Item - 2015.CD2.8

The Community Development and Recreation Committee directed that the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation report to the Community Development and Recreation Committee:

1. by September 2015, on a Toronto Tennis Excellence Strategy that would include:

a.  programming opportunities for the City of Toronto to expand the tennis lessons and clinics;

b.  an update on the inclusion of permitting City of Toronto tennis courts to private groups or individuals interested in running tennis lessons as part of The Review of Park Permitting Procedures;

c.  new programs to encourage youth to use City of Toronto tennis courts including partnering with tennis organizations and related companies in the private sector;

d.  a strategy for building Toronto as a centre of tennis excellence;

e.  the potential of hiring a Tennis Excellence Development Officer who can make Toronto a centre of tennis excellence;

f.  input from the City's Partnership Office on reaching out to Tennis Canada, Ontario Tennis and other partners; and

g.  consultation with the Chair, Parks and Environment Committee on the status of the city's tennis facilities and any needed improvements or updates.

2. on the first steps necessary to develop a Toronto Sports Strategy, including Terms of Reference for broader review and strategy development.

The recent success of Canadian professional tennis stars Eugenie Bouchard and Milos Raonic has ignited a rising interest in tennis in Toronto.

The City of Toronto operates over two hundred tennis courts. Courts are available under two categories - public and club. Public courts are free and available at all times. The majority are operated on a first come, first served basis for users. Club courts are generally permitted by community tennis clubs, which encourage the growth of tennis by providing programs and organizing events for their members.These clubs are not-for-profit community clubs run with the support of volunteers.

Outside of clubs, the City of Toronto does not currently offer opportunities for individuals or groups to permit the city's tennis courts for lessons and instructions. There are many individuals and private groups who are interested in permitting Toronto tennis courts for tennis lessons. This is currently under review.