Keep the Tennis Courts at Sarasota High School

We believe that the demolition of the eight tennis courts at Sarasota High School, proposed for the summer of 2013, should not happen. These courts have been a valuable community resource for many years, providing exercise and recreation for thousands of people, from the surrounding neighborhoods and throughout the area. Many Sarasota High School tennis teams have trained and played on them. Many other school teams have played there. This is the only set of eight public courts in the County. The demolition of these courts, which cost a lot to build and have only recently been resurfaced, is a waste of taxpayer money. The demolition of these courts, in order to provide a new bus loop, so that Sarasota High School’s existing combined bus loop/Parent dropoff can become an exclusive parent dropoff, is a misguided use of public resources. Some may feel that schools shouldn’t have to care about the community’s recreation but the school system is funded by taxpayer dollars paid by the public, its facilities are owned by the public., and the school system should consider the impact of its actions upon the public. In this case, the demolition of the courts will deprive many people of exercise and recreation.