6 Photos
A new sign on W. Lake Drive in Montauk will direct players to the tennis courts operated by Gotham Tennis Academy. COURTESY GOTHAM TENNIS ACADEMY
The vacant tennis clubhouse sits perched atop a hill
overlooking tennis courts it once operated. KYRIL BROMLEY
The tennis house previously operated by Montauk Raquet Club will soon be home to Gotham Tennis Academy. KYRIL BROMLEY
A view of the main six tennis courts
from the deck of the abandoned clubhouse. KYRIL BROMLEY
On a lonely stretch of West Lake Drive in Montauk sits a tennis club that until recently was home to the Montauk Racquet Club and eight gleaming outdoor courts.
Soon, the facility will once again welcome tennis enthusiasts and Montauk residents when Gotham Tennis Academy takes over its management and operations. The club will be called Gotham-Montauk.
In 2004, East Hampton Town bought the property using Community Preservation Fund revenues, and managed it at a loss, until it extended a license agreement in 2010 to Kirk Edwards, according to town officials. Since 2010, it had been licensed to Mr. Edwards, who managed it as the Montauk Racquet Club.
In early spring, the club suspended business due to financial troubles. Mr. Edwards could not be reached for comment.
The town asked for proposals for new license agreements to operate the club, and earlier this month ultimately granted one to Gotham Tennis Academy, a tennis management company with several locations in New York City and on the East End.
The company said it will invest $118,000 to refurbish the grounds, and an additional $150,000 in the first two years of operation.
As part of the license agreement, Gotham will reduce rates for renting courts so that they are “very reasonably priced,” said Joel Kassan, a principal owner of Gotham Tennis Academy. “Most tennis clubs are charging hourly rates between $50 and $70,” said Mr. Kassan. “We’ll be well under that, but at the same time we’re not going to devalue the service we provide.”
Reducing rates so that residents may regularly use the facility was a “pillar of the license agreement,” said Councilman David Lys. Though the building in which a potential clubhouse would be housed needs serious repair, Mr. Lys stressed the town’s commitment to finding a licensee who would agree to lower rates despite the necessary spending capital required to renovate the property. After the Town Board received proposals, Gotham presented the only plan that met this requirement.
Though paperwork is yet to be finalized, Gotham is set to receive a license agreement to operate the tennis club for at least 10 years, said Mr. Lys. After 10 years, the company will then have an option to renew the lease for an additional five years, said Warren Rand, another principal owner of Gotham.
The facility, located at 91 South Fulton Drive and accessible by an entrance on West Lake Drive, consists of eight HarTru surfaced tennis courts, a clubhouse with a pro-shop, restrooms, a lounge area and a large viewing area—all in need of repair. Under the operation of Mr. Edwards, only six of the eight courts were in use. The remaining two are separated from the other courts, and are in disrepair. The deck of the clubhouse also needs repair, and some of the interior will require remodeling.
Although the courts are public, and residents will be able to use them for hourly fees, Gotham will manage the facility as if a private club—complete with pros, clinics and youth programs. They will also hold intra-club tournaments and round-robins.
“Though the club is public,” said Mr. Kassan, “we want it to feel like it is maintained as though private.”
Mr. Kassan and Mr. Rand stressed their intent to operate the club with Montauk locals in mind. “We’re going to have special discounts for Montauk residents,” said Mr. Rand.
The club hopes to invite players of all levels and ages in the area to use the facility and “feel like a part of the community,” said Mr. Kassan.
“We want it to be for everyone,” added Mr. Rand.
In addition to providing tennis services for residents, the club will also do its part in trying to preserve the natural beauty of the facility, because the space itself belongs to the people of Montauk, said Mr. Kassan. All tennis balls used by the club will be recycled, and the bathrooms are undergoing renovation to become more water efficient.
Gotham will open either five or six of its eight courts on Saturday. The remaining courts will be open in time for next summer’s season, according to Mr. Kassan. The academy plans to begin its kids summer camp on Monday. Normal operation dates, after this season, will be from April 15 through October 15, said Mr. Kassan, “from dawn till dusk.”
“We are excited to open Gotham Tennis Academy Montauk and work closely with the town of East Hampton and area residents to serve the community,” said Mr. Kassan.
To learn more about dates of operation and for tennis reservations, call 631-267-8525, or email info@gothamtennis.com.
