Grandville’s Premier Athletic and Tennis Club could be demolished and replaced with an apartment complex in early 2023.
GRANDVILLE, Michigan — The community of Grand Rapids is coming together to save a beloved tennis and athletics facility.
Grandville’s Premier Athletic and Tennis Club could be demolished and replaced with an apartment complex in early 2023.
Calvin Soukup, 13, has been playing tennis at the club for a year and a half now.
“My favorite thing about playing here is that I get help all the time and I get better every time I come here,” Soukup said. “I meet so many new people.”
When he learned the club may be demolished and replaced with an apartment complexhe was devastated.
“There are other tennis clubs in this area, but this one really feels like home.”
Andrew Darrell is Calvin’s instructor and director of the club’s tennis program.
“We have 500 members who play tennis,” Darrell said. “We have 2,000 members overall, but we have half of the travel teams in West Michigan. The sense of community in tennis here is strong and we would miss it if it weren’t here.”
West Michigan Community Tennisa non-profit organization that offers free tennis lessons to at-risk youth, is try to save the clubwhich has existed for 50 years.
West Michigan Community Tennis is to raise $3.5 million by Dec. 31 to purchase the clubhouse and facilities, as well as make improvements.
In six months, they’ve raised up to $800,000 and hope big donors will step up this giving season.
“Those of you who want to serve underserved children. Those of you who want to play tennis. Those of you who just care about the community. We need to keep this place open. We need 100 $ to a million dollars,” said Jack Ponstine, co-chair of the fundraising campaign.
The nonprofit eventually hopes to teach life skills and tennis to local school children, but the first step is to own the club.
“I really hope this club can continue,” Soukup said.
Donations can be paid over a two-year pledge period so people can maximize their donations.
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