Wow, revenue for the city and free tennis lessons for poor kids. WHAT A TRAVESTY!

Holy nitpicking, Batman.

I am a Lowell parent of 3 who currently has my kids enrolled in the summer tennis program at Shedd. I understand there's about 40 or 50 other people already enrolled. I've had my kids in many Parks&Rec programs, and I greatly appreciate the programs and any way necessary to bring them in.

Finding it wasn't as elusive as you imply. I searched for tennis lessons in Lowell, saw the info on Parks & Rec as well as Next Champions site, read the info and signed up. And it doesn't state anything about "low-income", it just says free for Lowell kids. The same question about recruitment goes to this Boys Club program you speak of. This is the first I've heard of it, and summer is just around the corner. Obviously they're not actively recruiting either.

Since when have our public facilities been reserved for Lowell-only, or not for profit? When I enroll my kids for baseball and soccer, which takes place in public parks, I pay a fee to the organizations which run it. LeLacheur Park and Tsongas Arena were both built by and owned by our City. Both have out-of-town revenue generating teams. Did the city put out bids for baseball and hockey teams? Lowell Memorial Auditorium is a city owned facility which has out-of-town production companies come thru to make money.

There are over 2 dozen tennis courts in this city, why is Bob Hatem making such a stink about these 3? Can't he just build his own court in his backyard like his Belvidere neighbors? Is he so self-important that a tennis program can't happen in town without his involvement?

So there are 2 tennis programs in Lowell, great. More kids learn tennis. And there's 8 courts at Shedd, plenty of space for everyone. (Aren't the courts at South Common or Highlands Park closer to the Boys Club anyways?)

The conduct at the Lowee City Council meeting regarding the tennis court issue was truly remarkable. Only in Lowell would we allow to a family of wealth, power and priveledge to so dominate a meeting that their concers were taken out of order on the agenda,they were allowed to speak without time limit,they were actively engaged in debate with the city councilors,and-best of all, papa bear ( Mr Hate-em ) was allowed to have the FINAL WORD, even AFTER the councilors had been heard on the issue. I agree with previous writers that there are ample courts in the city of Lowell.It is simply a case of one group of people having their fiefdom invaded even the slightest little bit.I would suggest that the "retired guys" that Mr Hate-em referred to could indeed, play tennis whenever they wish, wherever they wish. Not everyone has the wherewithall to do so. These men of retirement and this family of priveledge should find more worthy causes for their passion and practiced oratory-they could do much more than to selfishly try to help those who dont need help. And the Lowell City Council had their poise, dignity and power usurped on one of the silliest debates this viewer and voter has heard or seen in a long time.

I had the opportunity to listen to Robert Hatem speak about this issue on NewsTalk. I've never met Mr Hatem, but listening to him speak he comes across as a self-important old blowhole. His arguments hold no merit. The more he speaks, the bigger embarrassment he is to himself and his family.

Regardless of the supposed issues he's trying to raise around this tennis program, the heart of the matter is this. Mr Hatem just returned from his winter home in Florida and wants 'his' courts free for his use any time he wishes. At issue also is that his daughter, director at the Boys and Girls Club, used to have her own tennis program at Shedd. How could a tennis program take place in Lowell without a Hatem involved! A travesty!

As stated in my previous post, this new program isn't a big secret. I found it easily and signed up. Free Monday, $25 for 3 1.5 hr classes the rest of the week. So basically $5/hr for lessons. A bargain in my book.

Regarding renumeration to the city, they'll get a percentage. You can't spell out a percentage of revenue up front in a contract.

Mr Hatem also is making an issue about the cost of lighting the courts. ?!?!? The lights are on at Shedd whether or not people are playing. They're not turning them on for this program. And the program isn't taking place after dark anyways.

Mr Hatem also insinuates that this program is a violation of the Shedd Park deed. I suggest he get a copy of the deed and read it. That's what I did. It wasn't that hard to obtain, seeing as its a public record. (of course, he'll have to use a computer to find it. I'll help you out. Computers are those things that look like televisions with a typewriter attached.) Not a thing in there which excludes the facilities be used for fee-based recreation instruction.

Stop taking away programs from my kids, Mr Hatem.

The argument keeps arising that other cities and towns are doing similar programs, however, when I did searches on the internet and called around to various towns the picture is much different than what proponents of this program would like us to believe. In other towns, residents come first and if there is room after residents are granted spots, outsiders can sign up with a surcharge added to the fee. Oh and speaking of fees, not one town has a set up where the fee is paid to the pro. Rather, it is paid to the city/town and then the pro is paid from those revenues. Lowell on the other hand trusts the vendor, verbally mind you, to pay the city at the end of the program. And as long as we are comparing ourselves to other programs, very few offer lessons on the same courts all day long and all week long. The lessons are a couple of days a week a few hours a day.
And finally, lets be serious, what low income child is going to ride a bus from other parts of the city to Shedd Park to play tennis for one hour a week.....if we are really serious about meeting the needs of our low income residents, then let's do these programs in places that are more accessible to them.