Item - 2017.CD18.7

The Community Development and Recreation Committee recommends that:

1.  City Council indicate the City of Toronto's desire to participate in Tennis Day in Canada.

2.  City Council declare May 13, 2017 as "Toronto Tennis Day".

3.  City Council direct the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to coordinate and work with Tennis Canada, local organizers and local tennis associations within Toronto to support “Toronto Tennis Day” and if required, report to the April 13, 2017 Community Development and Recreation Committee meeting on recreational assets and operational supports that are required.

On May 13, 2017 Tennis Canada will be promoting the first-ever National Tennis Day in Canada. Tennis Touring Professionals, Community Clubs, and Tennis enthusiast will be involved in family orientated events across the nation.  In addition, certified tennis coaches will be providing free instruction to all ages at participating local community tennis facilities across the country.

There has been a growing interest in tennis by Toronto residents in the past few years in part due to the success on the world stage by Canadian tennis stars such as Eugenie Bouchard and Milos Raonic. The City of Toronto operates over two hundred tennis court sites with over 600 courts. In March 2016, City Council approved changes to the City of Toronto outdoor tennis operations policy aimed at expanding community tennis programming.

The City of Toronto's participation in Tennis Day in Canada will be a terrific opportunity to highlight the number of accessible and inclusive Tennis facilities and programs available to all residents across the City while highlighting the City’s healthy lifestyles initiative promoted by Toronto Public Health.