Many high schools across America like Sequim High School are very good about letting the public use their courts after school, on weekends, holidays and vacations. This is all good and well when schools have funding to maintain courts and there are public courts in the area.

However, two of the courts at the school are in disrepair and a hazard to use. Soon, with overuse, the other three will need a lot of repairs and maintenance as well.

Despite these problems, the high school still is allowing the remaining courts to be open to the public. It is a generous and kind thing to do for the community and I know it has been a custom and tradition for some time, but I suggest a change. As long as SHS continues to allow local tennis players like me who compete or others out for some exercise and recreation to use the high school courts, the longer the City of Sequim delays its obligation to build a tennis facility for the city’s residents. It would serve all of us much better if the city would build a tennis facility, just 4-6 courts would be a game changer for the entire area and it would benefit the high school.

Less wear, tear and usage would allow SHS to have well-maintained courts in good condition available and ready for the SHS tennis team, PE classes, other students and children from lower grades interested in learning the game. Moreover, it can get crowded when the public and students must compete for just three tennis courts.

Perhaps more funding could be found for the school’s courts through grants, donations and other means if the lower grades were involved and the high school team grew in popularity. For a fee, the SHS tennis courts could be rented for competitive and noncompetitive adult tournaments and other tennis social events. I know some adult soccer and softball leagues sometimes must “pay to play” when using a public school’s fields or facilities. This could be a funding source for maintenance.

The Sequim-Dungeness Valley and the City of Sequim can do better. I am confident we all can reach an agreement in a spirit of consensus and have a public tennis facility in Sequim while we continue to support all sports and recreation here.

Terrence Parks

Sequim