A group of county tennis enthusiasts is edging closer to constructing a sprawling tennis complex near Interstate 95 and Route 100.

Art Tollick, president of Howard County Tennis Patrons, said his group is in the final steps of negotiating a lease for a tract of county-owned land that is part of the long-planned Troy Hill Regional Park near Elkridge.

If the group succeeds, Tollick said, it would give them the land needed to launch construction of the Troy Park Tennis & Learning Center, a 30-court tennis complex the group is hoping will boost regional interest in tennis and perhaps bring high-profile tennis players to the area.

"There are parks with small clusters of tennis courts around the county," Tollick said. "But the only really good location is Columbia Association, and that's no good if you live outside of Columbia."

Plans for the 16-acre center, which would be operated by a joint partnership between the HCTP and United States Tennis Association's Maryland Division, include 30 fully lit, state-of-the-art tennis courts. Eight to 11 of those courts would be indoors, allowing for play year-round.

Additionally, the center would include a court within a small stadium, which supporters hope could be used for tournaments and as a center for private tennis lessons.

County leaders on board

While negotiations for the land are not yet finalized, top county officials praised the project.

Gary Arthur, director of the county's Department of Recreation and Parks, said he liked the idea of a public-private partnership between the county and HCTP.

"Instead of us paying for tennis courts, they're making the center and a number of its courts available to us," Arthur said. "That's a great amenity that will already be there as we build the rest of the park."

The county has for years been planning a regional park at the site, which would include a community center, ball fields, two playgrounds and a possible dirt-bike track, Arthur said.

He said lease negotiations for the tennis center are about 85 percent complete, and he expects them to be finalized within a few months.

"Once that's done, I'd say we're well on our way," he said.

Through a spokesman, County Executive Kenneth Ulman also lauded the project.

"Executive Ulman believes this is an exciting opportunity to jump-start Troy Park and also to bring a true sports tourism attraction to Howard County," Kevin Enright stated in an e-mail.

"This project could benefit not only the tennis community and the Elkridge area but also the entire county through its economic development impact."

Private financing sought

Tollick said the complex would cost about $25 million to build. He said $8 million of that will be raised by HCTP, the remaining $17 million financed through other means, such as private partners.

Enright said that the county is unlikely to take part in funding the project.

"This project was approved based on no county funding being required to complete the tennis facility," he said.

While $25 million seems like a steep price considering the current economic turmoil, Tollick said the fiscal upside of the project outweighs the negatives.

"We think this holds great economic potential," he said. "We have already talked with the USTA about bringing tournaments here, and we'd like to even bring in the (Women's Tennis Association)."

Both Arthur and Enright noted the potential boon for local restaurants, hotels and businesses if such tournaments -- especially WTA events -- could be brought to Elkridge.

'Win for everybody'

David Grabowski, a former president of the Greater Elkridge Community Association and current member of the county's Planning Board, said the tennis center would be "good not just for Elkridge but the whole county.

"It will make more tennis facilities available to county residents, could bring in tournaments and even just the chance for residents to start getting lessons," Grabowski said.

He added that since the tennis park would require the building of roads and parking, it would allow the county to start building baseball fields and other park amenities sooner than they might otherwise do.

"It's a win for everybody," he said. "That property's been sitting there for a long time, and now we get to put it to use."

The GECA met with Howard County Tennis Patrons on Feb. 23, where HCTP officials provided updates on the lease negotiations.

Tollick said he expects to sign the lease and finalize commitments with partner groups and financiers by the end of the summer, which would allow construction to begin in the fall.

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user comments (4)

user liquidcargo says...

It is true that Art Tollick of HCTP attended a GECA board meeting on Feb 23rd. He provided the board with an update that included a description of the expanded plans for a stadium that is 400% larger than the one originally proposed. The GECA board of directors is in the process of digesting the new information and has not yet released its views on the rather extensive changes to the project.

Posted 2:13 PM, 02.26.09 | Permalink

user elkridgeguy says...

It's not clear at all why this guy's commercial enterprise is an appropriate use for public parkland. If he wants to build a tennis facility, he should buy the land it sits on, instead of working behind the scenes to have the county government give him public property. Are we citizens of Howard county getting the best deal for giving this guy our land? If we are going to give our public park land to a private enterprise, shouldn't there be an open and competitive bidding process? Furthermore, by misrepresenting this private development as a county park, the developer is avoiding the open hearings and planning process that a private commercial development would otherwise be required to follow. A great many of my neighbors and I think a new high school would be a far better use for this land that a commercial tennis enterprise. We are not being well served by our elected representatives.

Posted 9:05 PM, 02.28.09 | Permalink

user peggy10s says...

The Troy Park Tennis and Learning Center is a great example of public/private partnerships and deserves the support of all Marylanders who love tennis. Kudos to Tollick and his team for working with Howard County to create this tennis facility that can be used by all. All of the thousands of men, women, boys and girls who play in the local USTA leagues know that we need a facility of this size and quality.

Posted 8:43 PM, 03.16.09 | Permalink

user milton says...

Anytime some promotes the idea of a public/private partnership, watch your wallet. If this tennis park could be built without the use of tax dollars or other governmental favors, they would be building it now rather than screwing around with the County.

Posted 7:23 AM, 03.17.09 | Permalink