Many have heard and used the phrase, “It’s a great day for paddle” regardless of what the weather had in store for us at that moment. We all know that this game is unique in its competitive nature and yet the extremely high level of camaraderie that comes at all levels. Many new friendships have been created through this game…
Well – we’ve got some very exciting news to share at this time… all of which will help to forge many new friendships…
Glen Ellyn WILL have a paddle hut to call its own this 2011/2012 season and beyond. Thanks to the efforts of many throughout this long and arduous process, we have finally come to a point where the Park District Board has become wholly comfortable with our efforts and fundraising, and thus this past Tuesday at the monthly board meeting, voted in favor of continuing forward with construction.
Here are the specifics as it relates to the numbers…
Park District: $200,000 total commitment ($50,000 initially and $150,000 to pay off the line that the GEPTC is carrying through 2013)
GEPTC: $195,150
This is made up of the following:
1) Initial fund raised monies of $153,650 which included all players’ donations and matches.
2) $10,000 anonymous contribution
3) $5,000 grant from the American Platform Tennis Association
4) $5,000 donation from Athletico (any physical therapy needs – Athletico is now the preferred destination)
5) $21,500 additional contribution from the GEPTC – this piece is made up of…
a. $10,000 commitment from GEPTC back in March of 2011
b. $6,500 additional commitment from GEPTC in July of 2011
6) A GEPTC board member has as well put up an additional $14,678 in a contingency fund as requested by the PD board. GEPTC will stay very close to construction to be certain that we do not need to tap into this…
All that said – you will see that the PD has truly partnered with us on this project in that they are taking upon more than half of the project cost. This entire process has netted us an additional 2 courts and a great quality hut. We believe that this will lead to phenomenal opportunities for growth going forward. Start talking it up with your friends and get new people out there to give this game a try.
Chuck has worked hard to get us another 2 teams in the Chicago league for a total of 7, so those of you that played in the in-house league this past season, look to make the next step to your involvement in the game by looking to sign up for a travel team. There’s certainly a great chance that we’ll be hosting matches this year at all levels. Certainly, more to come from Chuck and the team Captains, but we have spots for approx 90 guys so if you want to play you will play!
There will be a free PPTA clinic on Saturday, September 17th as shown in your PD brochure. Time is 1-4pm – be sure to come on out for this… There will be top level pros and a high quality exhibition of top ranked national players. This is a great way to get your season started.
FUNDRAISING: You can see that the GEPTC has been put on the hook for $21,500 in order to keep this project moving forward… We need your help! There were many that were very generous in their donations and many that likely just missed out on the opportunity to do so the first time around. We ask everyone that is a part of this paddle community to again consider some form of donation. Each person/family/business that contributes will be recognized in permanence at the hut. Be a part of the foundation that helped to create this ‘second jewel’ of Glen Ellyn. We’re going to have a great hut no doubt, but the more that we can raise above the $21,500; the more like Sunset Ridge or Glenview or Winnetka we can make our hut. Let’s get the effort rolling to blow past the $21,500. No donation is too small or too large, of course.
Lastly – in line with fundraising, we’re looking at having a pre-season paddle party that we’ll be sending information on to each person/family in the coming weeks – please be on the lookout for this.
If you have any questions about any of the above, feel free to contact any of the below…
Chuck Smith – GEPTC President – chucks@nationalfibersupply.com
Marty Engel – GEPTC VP – mengel@thecfg.com
Scott Park – GEPTC Treasurer – spark@wintrustwealth.com
Pat Walker – GEPTC – pwalker@courtofsport.com
Ryan Snyder – Honorary GEPTC liaison for PD communications – ryansnyder@ameritech.net
Construction of a 1,200-square-foot platform tennis warming hut in Glen Ellyn will restart now that additional donations have been secured to fund the project.
Read the complete article at http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20110719/news/707199726/
