SSPRD candidates answer questions

QUESTION ONE: As tennis participation continues to surge nationally (25.7 million players in 2024), in the state, and especially in the south Denver metro area, what is your opinion on the importance of tennis infrastructure in future SSPRD development?

Dan Murphy: Missouri has on their license plate "show me" which means anyone can say they will support something but "show me" what you have done. I was the driving force behind building ten new tennis courts in Lone Tree fifteen years ago. I started with a committee of one (me) and built a coalition of people to pass the funding of these courts with a bond. These same courts now have a waiting list for USTA play.

I have actively campaigned in South Suburban, Douglas County and the city of Lone Tree to have eight additional courts at the new High Note Park in Lone Tree in phase one.

I have worked with the USTA in strategies to solve the problem of increased demand and decreasing supply for courts. I feel my body of work for tennis shows how important I feel tennis is for the future of SSPRD development.

Luke Lorenz:  I strongly advocate for providing free or low-cost, high-quality recreational opportunities that are easily accessible to every resident within the district, ideally within close proximity to their homes. I also believe the district has a responsibility to strike a balance between passive and active recreational options. Moving forward, it's crucial to assess demand and conduct a more in-depth study to determine whether additional courts are needed or if existing courts require upgrades. Tennis is a sport that accommodates all ages and skill levels, so offering a variety of courts and diverse programming options would help foster greater community engagement and ensure that everyone—from beginners to advanced players—can enjoy the game.

The 2017 Master Plan outlines several tennis-related initiatives, including improvements to five existing tennis courts. Furthermore, the Littleton Golf and Tennis Facility earned the USTA's Outstanding Facility Award in 2024, recognizing its excellence in tennis facility construction and renovation.

I learned to play tennis in the district, at Holly Tennis Center, and while I don’t compete at a competitive level, I still enjoy playing recreationally with friends and neighbors. I truly understand the value of sports like tennis, which can be lifelong activities that align with the district's mission of promoting a healthy and active lifestyle.

Rick Pilgrim: Growing up in the SSPR District I have a strong recognition of the importance of racquets sports to the overall recreation program. Living on the west side of the District, I watched the destruction by storm of the Tennis "bubble" and the long time before the new Littleton Golf and Tennis facility finally opened. Coupled with the Holly Tennis Center, the courts at the Lonetree Rec Center and the Lonetree Golf Club and Hotel Tennis Center it seems to me that the supply of high-quality courts in in short supply. 

I live in the town of Bow Mar and played in our tennis league for several years, so I know that the local residents are very supportive of upgrading and maintaining the eight courts in town.  In addition, the Homeowners Association added four new pickle ball courts last year.  I have been introducing two of our grandchildren to tennis and each is looking forward to taking lessons this summer.  I am a firm believer in the importance of racquet sports and as a Board Director I will look for opportunities to reinforce the tennis infrastructure across the District.

Joe Wilson:As tennis participation continues to grow the need for tennis infrastructure becomes even more critical. For SSPRD,  I think that investing in tennis facilities will provide numerous benefits, including better community engagement (which is very important to me). Expanding and upgrading tennis courts can serve the district's growing population by offering more opportunities for recreational play and organized events. These upgraded facilities can also support all age groups, from families to competitive players, fostering overall wellness in the community.

In addition, high-quality tennis infrastructure can play a key role in developing local talent. With more people getting involved in tennis, having top-tier facilities allows for organized leagues, tournaments, and training programs. This can help cultivate young athletes and potentially propel them to higher competitive levels. Furthermore, well-maintained courts can also generate economic benefits by attracting tennis events, bringing in visitors and boosting local businesses. Planning for future growth ensures that SSPRD remains responsive to the rising demand, ensuring the district has the resources to support tennis players for years to come.

Elizabeth Watson: I picked up tennis a little later in life. In my 40s! I have a great group of neighborhood friends that wanted to start doing something new, and somehow they picked tennis. Our kids were in elementary school together so we decided we should dedicate a few hours a week to tennis lessons. We started at a neighborhood park and then started taking lessons at Lifetime Fitness. I was hooked! We went from not knowing how to hold a racquet to joining USTA leagues. So much fun! The benefits of tennis are well known - exercise, friendships, fun competition. Definitely a special time for all of us.

I also think it's important to talk about the South Suburban community. According to South Suburban's master plan, South Suburban's demographic has a large "active adult" community. Since tennis is a life-long sport, it makes sense to me that providing access to tennis facilities should be a priority for South Suburban.

Tennis infrastructure should be a priority for future SSPRD development. Given SSPRD's demographics, providing access to amenities that benefit all of the community, from youth to active adults, should be a top priority. From SSPRD's 2022 Master Plan, "Currently, the largest age group proportionately in South Suburban is those aged between 45 and 65, with the median age at 44 years as of 2021. This group consists of 40 percent of the population. While South Suburban has a smaller percentage of the youth population (28 percent under 24 years old) than the rest of the state, the 65 and older age group in South Suburban accounts for 20.4 percent of the population, significantly higher than the state’s 15.3 percent."  

Steve Kaverman: At the present time I have not formed an opinion on the importance of tennis infrastructure in the south Denver metro area, or in SSPRD. I have not played tennis in many years, but I pride myself on staying fit and am an advocate for athletic and leisure activities that support a healthy lifestyle. I would be interested in learning more, and in considering information that will allow the SSPRD Board of Directors to balance the interests and needs of tennis enthusiasts.

QUESTION TWO: Recognized nationally as a hotbed for tennis, the Denver-metro area ranks No. 1 in adult level-based tournament play and No. 2 in adult league participation in the entire country. South Suburban facilities alone are home to thousands of league players — the most in the state —and some of the largest tennis tournaments in Colorado. How can SSPRD prepare to handle both the current, and the future demand for tennis courts and programming? 

Dan Murphy: To meet the demand both currently and in the future, you first have to invest in more courts.

Secondly, you need to spend as much time building youth tennis as you do for other SSPRD youth sports . You have to keep the demand going for the next generation.

Third, there needs to be a commitment by the USTA/ SSPRD to help players find teams and help teams find home courts. 

Luke Lorenz: To handle both the current and future demand for tennis courts and programming, SSPRD can take the following strategic steps:

• Assess existing facilities and usage: conduct a thorough review of the current tennis facilities, including court conditions, availability, and usage patterns. Based on the results of this study, SSPRD may determine it is necessary to allocate funds for either expansion of tennis facilities or upgrade of existing facilities.
• Conduct a Comprehensive Needs Assessment to determine the expected future growth and demand. 
• Partner with Local Organizations: SSPRD could form partnerships with local tennis clubs, schools, and community organizations to co-host events, tournaments, and leagues, effectively increasing the number of opportunities available for tennis players of all ages and levels.
• Engage with the Community: Regularly seeking feedback from tennis players and the general community will help SSPRD stay responsive to changing needs.

Rick Pilgrim: As a civil engineer, I am always looking for the best way to address problems. If elected to the Board, I would be very involved in the research and studies that have been done by the District and organizations like the USTA Colorado to quantify the demand for tennis infrastructure. 

In addition, I am interested in what young people are doing regarding racquet sports. For example, information from the different school districts will be helpful to consider in that regard. As stewards of the District resources, the Board must consider the right balance between and among the different recreational programs and projects and then plan accordingly. I will look for the player inventory and usage data that will help to define whatever shortfall may exist and then make sure that investments are made in the appropriate programs.

Finally, I think the District should look for partnerships wherever possible to provide programs and the required infrastructure to support those programs. Those partnerships can be made from both public and private entities that will make for a stronger overall tennis program as the result.

Joe Wilson: First off, it is awesome that Denver is ranked #1 in adult level-based tournament play and #2 in adult participation in the country. A little bit of background on me. I did grow up playing tennis in junior USTA events and continued as an adult with a 3.5 rating. Tennis has been instrumental for my entire life. Given that we are recognized as a national tennis hub, SSPRD must strategically plan for both current and future demand for tennis courts and programming.  To address immediate needs, SSPRD should prioritize maintaining and upgrading existing facilities to ensure they meet the highest standards for both recreational and competitive play.

Looking to the future, SSPRD should focus on long-term planning by anticipating the growth of tennis participation and our evolving needs in the community.  This could involve expanding existing complexes and developing new facilities especially in areas like High Note Regional Park. Moreover, SSPRD should consider diversifying programming to cater to different skill levels, age groups and players in general. Offering youth developmental programs, adult leagues and specialized coaching and training camps would help foster a strong tennis community. With proper planning and participation we need to ensure we continue to grow and maintain our #1 ranking for years to come.

Eilzabeth Watson:  SSPRD can prepare to handle both the current, and the future demand for tennis courts and programming by first off maintaining and improving existing facilities. I am a proponent of ensuring SSPRD takes care of their existing amenities and facilities.

The second opportunity SSPRD has is to include tennis in their new park and recreation facility designs. 

Steve Kaverman: SSPRD can best prepare to handle both the current and the future demand for tennis courts and programming by being well informed on national and regional trends in tennis, by listening to members of the tennis community, and by involving them in considerate planning of facilities and programs.

QUESTION THREE: The loss of 20 tennis courts at Colorado Athletic Club Inverness 18 months ago has put an additional strain on existing tennis courts as players look for places to play. At the same time, significant growth is expected in certain parts of the District. Are you in favor of investing in tennis infrastructure (continued maintenance and new development) in the near term as a member of the SSPRD board? 

Luke Lorenz: I fully support investing in the upkeep and maintenance of all South Suburban facilities, including tennis courts.I recognize the significant value tennis facilities hold for the local tennis community. As I’ve mentioned before, I am a strong advocate for providing free or low-cost recreational opportunities to all district residents, and tennis certainly aligns with that vision. However, it’s essential to conduct a thorough study through a strategic plan to assess the need for further development. This will help determine where additional facilities might be necessary and ensure that new developments are positioned to have the greatest impact.

The district has a responsibility to offer a diverse range of recreational opportunities while also ensuring the ongoing maintenance of parks, trails, and open spaces. Before allocating funds and committing to any new development, it is crucial to engage with community stakeholders and conduct a thorough analysis. This will help ensure that the needs of the entire community are being met in all aspects of parks and recreational services.

Rick Pilgrim: I attended the March SSPRD Board meeting and heard the compelling testimony from many residents about the need for new courts because of the loss of the CAC courts, as well as the swimming facilities that were available too. The public comments made were related to the High Point Regional Park where there will be new courts, but the questions brought forward were related to the number that could be provided.

As I outlined above, with the appropriate information about the demand and the supply for tennis facilities I would be very involved in addressing the near-term demand along with the long-range planning for both refurbishment and upgrade as well as new racquet sports facilities. As one approach, the District should look for ways to partner with other organizations to provide those facilities. That approach helps the District to better leverage resources and to bring others together that have a direct interest in the overall success of those programs. I am sure the USTA Colorado would want to be one of the key participants throughout the whole process and as a Board member I would ask to be directly involved as one of my key priorities.

Joe Wilson: Having been a member of Colorado Athletic Club Inverness for over 15 years, I understand firsthand the impact and loss of 20 courts at CAC to the tennis community. With the additional strain on existing facilities I am sure it is more challenging for players to find available space. Therefore, and as stated in my prior answer, it is critical for SSPRD to invest in maintenance and the development of tennis in areas like High Note Regional Park. The short answer is YES, I am in favor of investing in tennis infrastructure.

Elizabeth Watson: I am in favor of investing in tennis infrastructure in the near term. I go back to the impact access to tennis facilities will have on a broad range of the SSPRD community. The award-winning success of the Littleton Golf and Tennis facility is a testament to the potential SSPRD has for serving their community with quality programs and facilities.

Steve Kaverman: From my experience in facility and property management, I understand and appreciate the importance of attentive, adequately funded maintenance and believe it must be prioritized as new development is being considered. I will withhold an opinion on new development until I have more information about demand and strain on existing facilities.