Community Effort Saves Neighborhood Tennis Courts in Appleton

“Here’s the interesting thing, though, people were still playing on these courts even in these awful conditions, even with a two-inch lip and the risk of being injured just to have an opportunity to have free tennis in the neighborhood park,” said Goymerac.

Goymerac soon realized that someone would be her, but she had no idea where to start. The parks and recreation department seemed like the most logical step, so Goymerac began her journey with a phone call to the director.

She was immediately told that from the city’s perspective, no one was using the public courts enough to justify saving them. Goymerac was absolutely shocked by this, as she saw countless people playing on the tarred courts, leaving them with dirty hands and shoes, but with a place to play, nonetheless.

Goymerac’s fire was lit. To be an agent of change, though, she was going to need support and guidance from the USTA. After starting at the very top of the organization, she was quickly offered local resources.

The process began with a petition. Along the way, Goymerac met many other caring individuals who were prepared to fight for tennis. As Goymerac and her team (Alderpersons Cathy Spears and Joe Martin, Karen Drecktrah, Lisa Carpiaux and Lou Blasczyk) got deeper into their efforts, she started to see a light at the end of the tunnel. Goymerac says without the fight and determination from these individuals, they might not have succeeded in saving the courts.

By 2011, the band of tennis fans began fundraising efforts for the courts, and by September of 2013, saved the first set of courts.

At this time, the parks and recreation department began a new chapter under the direction of Dean Gazza who became the game changer in saving the courts.

Gazza made a point to take the information presented by Goymerac and Fred Kolchman, a tennis court expert of Grafton, Wis., and transform it into actionable items. Fundraising continued for the courts with the help of Gazza.

“Not only did he [Gazza] have a strong passion and clear vision for offering activity options for all ages, he was able to bring junior stripping to the courts to then be able to offer senior players pickleball as well,” said Goymerac.

As of February 2020, the local Appleton tennis courts have experienced their happy ending. Goymerac and the rest of her coalition, naming themselves M.A.T.C.H (Making Appleton Tennis Courts Happen), were able to donate just over 14,000 dollars to the city. In effect, all of the local courts have been saved and refurbished.

“Tennis had been in the Appleton area for over 35 years, and now it is a recreational tradition of over 45 years,” said Goymerac. “This is really something to celebrate, how many people are active.”

Tennis was in danger of disappearing from the Appleton neighborhoods for good a decade ago. Now, through the dedicated efforts of those that saw past the cracks in the court, tennis is here to stay.