Homeowners chime in on swim, tennis centers
By STEPHANIE HAYES
Published May 19, 2006
WESTCHASE - It's makeover time for Westchase's swim and tennis centers, but first, homeowners have a chance to weigh in.
A handful of people showed up to a residents forum Tuesday night to suggest improvements. Others submitted their suggestions in writing before the meeting.
Lewis Patterson, who runs Westchase's senior group, said he'd like to see a tennis practice wall erected at the West Park Village tennis courts. Patterson also said a shuffleboard deck would be nice, "to be fair to those who cannot partake in strenuous sports."
Ben Stein, 14, is up for some strenuous activity. Stein wants to see a miniature skate park built in Westchase. That idea was broached two years ago; it gathered little steam and fizzled.
Members of Westchase's swim and tennis committee who hosted the forum, and facilities manager Jan Smith discussed other options for teens such as movie nights or late-night swimming.
Ruben Collazo, who is a member of Westchase's community association, said he wants the pools and courts to have more of a vacation resort vibe.
"You go to some hotels and they have the giant papier-mache boulders or the big splash umbrellas for the kids," Collazo said.
Other suggestions included adding snack bars and vending machines, hot showers, a workout room, extra pool umbrellas and a pool heater, setting up a movie projector system in the meeting room, power washing the pool decks, and offering more swim lessons.
Tennis coaches suggested fixing court fences and drainage problems, buying new drinking fountains and court lights, putting up a bulletin board, and building a small office and storage space.
Westchase's community association has hired a consulting firm to come up with a master plan for the centers. Swim and tennis committee chair Rachel Sellers said that even if all suggestions don't make the master plan cut, they may be considered as long-term goals.
Residents who would like to add input can go to www.westchase.net and e-mail property manager Patty Stewart.
Stephanie Hayes can be reached at 813 269-5303 or shayes@sptimes.com.