To be discussed at the GEPD meeting this evening. Packet is here.

Now, I will freely admit I do not play platform tennis, so I am looking for those that do to help me understand the purpose of the warming hut. From the packet, the hut will have the following:

Cabinets with granite counter tops, 36" fireplace (to warm, I suppose), sink, oven, fridge, microwave, TV ($1200, 50" I guess), cable/dish hookup, and $6000 of furnishings (couches, tables, wall art, etc.)

This gives a grand total of ~$268,000. Now, silly me, I pictured a warming hut, to be just that, a hut with a heater inside it. This sounds more like a Clubhouse. If that is the case, can I buy a membership just to go to the 'hut' and not actually play Platform Tennis?

You can absolutely buy a membership and go to the hut and hang out if you'd like. If you have any athletic bones in that engineer body of yours, you might even give it a try. There are players there of all skill (or lack of skill) levels. I'll supply the paddle if you are interested, although if you stand approximately 100 yards east of the courts you might find a few of Fan's old paddles.

The hut is going to be similar in amenities (but probably not as nice, believe it or not) as those in Hinsdale, Winnetka and Lake Bluff.

Seriously? A quarter mill for a warming hut? Actually, tho I don't play I basically support platform tennis. But goodness, doesn't this impress anyone else as excessive - at least in this economy and so soon after the Ackerman project?

I'd be far more supportive of building a 2d court, than something this luxurious.

BTW - doesn't PD accounting mean this will actually cost $375K?

The overall costs are substantially less than the huts built in Hinsdale and Winnetka.

250K For a warming hut. I was picturing some tent with a space heater. This is for what the fifty or so people who play this sport.

quote:

Originally posted by Fish:
The overall costs are substantially less than the huts built in Hinsdale and Winnetka.

Are you suggesting that in all budget decisions our town ought to look to Winnetka and Hinsdale? Those towns' expenditures are relevant why?

I expect I could identify hundreds of towns who haven't spent a penny on platform tennis warming huts. Why not look to them as a guide?

Stay tuned. This deal is not going forward with just PD money. Significant, non-taxpayer money, will be used to build.

You're right about lot's of places not spending a penny on warming huts...btw, do you need any help moving to Calumet City?

Fan, don't get me started.

These prices aren't really out of line if you take into consideration the price of:

The Floral Clock,

The price of the (shelved) Downtown Study

The price paid for the run-off water bypass pipe in Lake Ellyn

The price paid to public works and the condition of our streets (and snow removal policy)

The price paid for the Christmas Lights. (fwiw, Lights are 1/2 at Soukups now.).

This is what happens when you aren't held accountable and are allowed to spend other peoples money.

Don't we have a comptroller?

Welcome back Fan! You were missed.

If private citizens wish to pay for it and donate it, I'm fine with that. Would be nice to see that mentioned in the PD info.

Just did a quick wiki search - no idea how accurate these numbers.

Pop./Avg. per capita income/Avg. house value

Winnetka: 12.5k/$93k/$1.4 mill
Hinsdale: 17k/$63.7k/$949k
Glen Ellyn: 27k/$40k/$297k

I don't think we need to look to Cal City to find a better comparison point for our town than Winnetka and Hinsdale.

Like I said, I support platform tennis. I'd be happy to see another court there. Heck, I would have preferred even a quarter mill warming hut over a mini-golf course, and the new Ackerman building.

Broken record alert here Fish...

How much is it to build the courts themselves?Why wouldn't the PD and Village try to build new courts at the Links, which has an existing clubhouse that could benefit from some sprucing up. Links gains year-round activity, Platform Tennis players gain a better clubhouse (full kitchen, beverage, rest room, pro-shop and locker room functions) and taxpayers benefit from economies of scale and use of year-end facilities. Private donors save some cash. Seems like a win-win-win...

Just saying...

quote:

Originally posted by Fish:
huts built in Hinsdale and Winnetka.

Mr. Fish, thank you for taking my question. Can you tell us how many courts are serviced by the huts in both Hinsdale and Winnetka?

I'll hang up and listen for the answer. Thanks again.

So, we'll be seeing several post daily! Good!

quote:

Originally posted by 4MP:
Why wouldn't the PD and Village try to build new courts at the Links, which has an existing clubhouse that could benefit from some sprucing up. Links gains year-round activity, Platform Tennis players gain a better clubhouse (full kitchen, beverage, rest room, pro-shop and locker room functions) and taxpayers benefit from economies of scale and use of year-end facilities. Private donors save some cash. Seems like a win-win-win...

Or if this project is funded by the users, it seemed odd to me that the tennis club across the street, Health Track, was not interested in getting into the platform tennis business.

It would seem that HT could have found a small plot on their grounds or parking lot to build a few courts and use their existing building as a warming hut.

This will warm you up faster.

quote:

Originally posted by Fish:
You can absolutely buy a membership and go to the hut and hang out if you'd like.

$95/yr for a place to escape to that has a coach and tv....hmmm...

quote:

If you have any athletic bones in that engineer body of yours, you might even give it a try.

I'm willing to give it a try. As I've said before, I'm okay at racquetball, but suck at tennis.

Are there daily memberships? Or do I have to pony up $95 up front?

I was just thinking - isn't there already some kind of a clubhouse or something in that park that is rented out for parties and such? Is that thing completely booked during the winter months such that it could not be used by the platform tennis players?

You are right, Dins. Why couldn't they use the mini golf "clubhouse"?