Last fall, South’s tennis courts were resurfaced after cracks made the courts too dangerous to play on. However, since September, bumps on the courts have replaced the resealed cracks.
In 2009, citizen complaints were made to the Parks and Recreation Department about how these courts, open to the public in addition to the teams, were hazardous to the players.
Nobody was more involved than Bob Jampol, English teacher and head coach of the girl’s tennis team. “It is unfortunate that problems like this happen” Jampol said. “I am disappointed and I hope that the city contractors will do what they can to get these courts ready by the start of the season.”
During the 2009 season four large cracks existed between courts with grass growing inside of the cracks.
In August, New England Sealcoating began a two-week project to resurface, reseal and repaint the courts. The company informed the city that the cost to repair the courts would roughly be $104,000 after an original estimate of $80,000. “The city came across $60,000, but we can’t be greedy with what they want because of other school issues around budgets,” Jampol said.
Craig Swain, a representative from New England Sealcoating, used CourtTatchBinder to install a membrane which filled the cracks. Swain was informed of the continuing problem, but understands the job is not complete until the people are satisfied. “We will fix the bumps,” Swain said. “But at least they are not in the playing area,”
Science teacher and boys’ tennis head coach Patrick McFarland noted that the playing area itself is satisfactory.
“The surface is nice and slow, abrasive, looks even and has a consistent balance,” he said. “But there [are still] bumps in between the courts. They should not come into play; however, they really should be fixed. In reality, they should be fixed by the start of the season.”
Junior and boys’ tennis tri-captain Tyler Epstein agreed. “I am upset because we have gone through money and hassle to get this fixed. You would think they would do the job right,” he said.
Both McFarland and Jampol remain worried about the physical health of the players, although they admitted that the courts are safer than they were previously.
“I was more concerned before,” Jampol said. “They didn’t do the best job because of costs, but they had to do the best they could while being financially cautious.”
For now, Jampol hopes to make the best with what there is, and is looking to repeat last season’s 16-2 record.
“We are just going to play cautiously,” Jampol said.
Epstein has a similar outlook for the boys’ team.
“[Just] play normal, not deal with the bumps, take what is given to us and play tennis,” he said. “Any way shape or form, it will not affect our play.”
