Straight Talk: Tennis court reservations

  • Published
  • By Col. Stacy L. Yike
  • 66th Air Base Group commander
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  Looking to get fit during these snow-covered winter months? The Fitness Center has lots of options for you. Check out the link at www.hanscomservices.com/FitnessandSportsCenter.asp or stop by and see what they have to offer.

Question: I tried making a reservation for the base indoor tennis courts this week, only to be told that the courts were now being used every day for physical training during the prime hours of 5 to 7 p.m. As an Air National Guard member, I realize the need to maintain physical fitness, and I also realize the need to share the fitness facilities. At the same time, I feel it's unreasonable to have the courts made unavailable every day in prime time, and that tennis players are crowded out of the courts every day of the entire week for the two hours immediately following work. Bringing this matter to the attention of management has failed to resolve the situation. Can you help us reach an accommodation in which tennis players are given a reasonable opportunity to use the facilities as they were designed? I propose some arrangement be made whereby the courts are made available from 5 to 7 p.m. for physical training on alternating days. This arrangement would seem to satisfy the needs of all parties until weather conditions permit training outside.

Answer: Thank you for voicing your concerns. Our tennis bubble is a resource for units to conduct their physical training programs during the winter months. Our priority is to provide facilities and equipment for units to conduct PT while striving hard to meet the needs of the entire Hanscom community. However, one of the missions of the Fitness Center is to meet the needs of active duty members, making sure they are 100 percent deployment ready.

We schedule our tennis bubble on a first-come, first-serve basis, providing the opportunity for units to conduct PT there during winter months when outdoor time is impractical. Currently, many units are conducting their PT during the hours of 4 to 6 p.m. and have reserved time in the Tennis Bubble and Fitness Center. We do recognize and support our tennis players by blocking off time specifically for tennis play. Times are Monday to Friday from 8 to 11 a.m. and 2 to 4 p.m. On weekends, tennis play times are from 7 to 9 a.m. and from 1 to 10 p.m.

We encourage our patrons to call the Fitness Center front desk at 781-377-3639 to make a reservation. Tennis Bubble reservations can be made by active duty members at 9 a.m. the day prior to use and by civilians at 10 a.m. the day prior.

We empathize with all of our patrons and eventually the snow will cease, spring will return and we will see our schedules have more availability for open play as units return to conducting PT outdoors. We appreciate your input, apologize for any inconvenience and look forward to meeting your needs at the Fitness Center.