Latest News!

This year at the Grand Marais Open and Fisherman's Picnic tournaments there are consolation rounds. You will get to play at least TWO matches in each tournament you enter. We need our members to participate. Plan ahead now!

CARL JOHNSON CLINICS

Carl Johnson will hold two clinics a week from June through August, One will be during the day and one in the evening. These clinics will be for CCTA members that are beginning tennis players with a rating of 1.5 to 3.0. There will be no requirement to sign up in advance and you may attend as many sessions as you wish.

Monday's starting June 7th 10:30 am - 12:00 pm ends August 26
Wednesday's starting June 9th 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm ends August 11

 

Here's the most recent CCTA Newletter

CCTA Newsletter (Caution: Large file, takes a while to download)

January, 2010

While the new courts are sleeping under ice and snow, big plans for the coming season are under way. Stay tuned!

June 25, 2009

Tennis Court Renovation

Finally, after years of planning and fund raising we have signed a contract to reconstruct the three north tennis courts. The project includes lights, a storage shed, a new wall/practice area, new roof over the spectator area, landscaping and some smaller details.

It was the original intend of the CCTA Board to begin construction in May and have the courts finished for the Fishermen’s Picnic Tournament. Due to various details, including some uncertainty about some costs and revenue from grants, the start of construction has been delayed to July 6th. The last significant grant, which was $50,000 from the IRRB, was confirmed in late May. This grant made it possible to add lights to the three courts. The board did consider attempting to move the beginning of construction to after Fishermen’s Picnic, but ruled it out for a variety of good reasons.

During the period of reconstruction. July 6 through August 17, we will have only two courts available in Grand Marais. We do not have a sign-up or reservation system. The courts will be available to whoever is there first. So if you are playing and others are waiting to get on the courts, please keep your court time to one hour. Your patience and cooperation will be greatly appreciated during this six-week period.

The courts are reserved for the summer USTA National Junior Tennis League program on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, 9:00 AM – 1:10 PM, through July 16th. They are also reserved for the Jr. Traveling Team practice on Thursdays, 4:30 – 6:00 PM and Sundays, 2:00 – 3:00 PM (?). The Cardio Tennis program will be using the two courts on Tuesday evenings, 7:00 – 8:00 PM, through Aug. 11th.

Even though, we have received $231,000 in gifts and pledges, and have volunteer labor commitments valued at $13,500, we still need about $10,000.00 to cover all the costs. Anything you can contribute to meet this need will be very helpful. Make your Check out to CCTA and mail it to CCTA, P.O. Box 34, Grand Marais, MN 55604.

Traditionally, the courts have had little use between 6 and 9 A.M. Therefore, if some of you can use the courts during these early hours, the demand for courts during the day will be reduced.

Final Court Layout:

May 2009

FLASH!
CCTA Receives State Money to Complete Tennis Court Renovation - Details coming....

County Board approves Agreement
From the Cook County News Herald May 31, 2009
On Tuesday, May 26, 2009, the county board approved an agreement with the Cook County Tennis Association (CCTA) for ongoing maintenance and repair of the public tennis courts on Community Center grounds next to Cook County High School.

In that agreement, the county assumes responsibility for security, lawn care, lighting, portable toilet facilities, garbage hauling, a drinking fountain, and resurfacing every five to seven years or as needed.

The CCTA assumes responsibility for filling cracks in the surface of the courts, placing and removing wind screens, hauling recyclables, keeping the courts clean during tennis season, and providing tennis programs for youth and adults.

Some of the responsibilities the county agreed to take over were previously handled by Cook County Schools before a land trade gave ownership of the courts to the county.

One issue resulting from the land trade resulted when the school decided not to supply water to the fountain installed years ago by the CCTA. The water had been piped from a cement building behind the school that the school did not want to heat in the winter just to keep the water fountain pipe from freezing. According to CCTA board member Rod Wannebo, also on the school board, the school is considering installing a fountain outside the northwest corner of the school facing the tennis courts. That decision will likely be made by the school’s maintenance department.

If the school decides not to install a fountain, a new fountain could be installed on tennis court grounds for about $500, Wannebo said.

County Maintenance Director Brian Silence will talk to ISD 166 Maintenance Director Mike Groth about installation of a fountain at the school.

February 11, 2009

USTA Public Facility Grant of $44,800.00!
The Cook County Tennis Association is pleased to announce that it is the recipient of a USTA Public Facility Grant of $44,800.00, given by the United States Tennis Association national organization. This grant is to be used for the Cook County Public Tennis Court Project, which includes rebuilding three tennis courts (next to the school), adding lights for the three courts, building a storage building, a roof over the seating areas, a new backboard hitting area, and some landscaping.

The process of applying for this grant began months ago. A great deal of detail regarding the project had to be submitted as part of the grant application. The standards for this type of grant are very high. Therefore, our community is very fortunate to be the recipient of this grant. The Cook County Tennis Association’s mission is to promote and develop the growth of tennis in Cook County. The CCTA continues to provide opportunities for all ages and skill levels to learn, improve and enjoy the great lifetime sport of tennis. The CCTA also realizes that we need good facilities in order to accomplish this. That’s why its members have been working hard to help raise funds for this project. The USTA has recognized the efforts of the Cook County Tennis Association to promote and develop the growth of tennis in Cook County, and beyond, and continues to grant its support.

Earlier, the Cook County Tennis Association (CCTA) was the recipient of two grants, $6,000.00 and $10,000.00, from the USTA / Northern for the court project. The CCTA has also received grants totally $15,000.00 from the Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation for this project. This is a total of $75,800.00 in grants, from outside the county, for the project.

Without the support of the County Commissioners, the Grand Marais City Council and the contributions from many individuals and businesses, these grants would not have materialized. The County Commissioners have pledged $74,000.00 from the county funds and the city has pledged $7,500.00 toward the project. Approximately $30,000.00 has been collected or pledged toward the project from individuals and businesses. In addition the CCTA plans to contribute $15,000.00 from its operations budget and about $15,000.00 in volunteer labor toward the project. The total cost of the project is anticipated to be about $223,000.00.

In order to complete all aspects of the project the Cook County Tennis Association will still need about $15,000.00 more. Therefore, additional contributions are welcome. These tennis courts are a great asset to our county and when this project is complete, we will probably have the nicest outdoor tennis facility in northeastern Minnesota and along Lake Superior. Checks can be made out to the CCTA for the Tennis Court Project. Send them to: CCTA, P.O. Box 34, Grand Marais, MN or contact Gene Glader, CCTA President at 218-387-9388.

Bids for the project are to be let in March and construction should begin as soon as the weather permits. Completion in July is anticipated.

 

June 2008

School Board Okays Tennis Court Land Exchange
From the Cook County Star on Fri, 06/13/2008
The school board of ISD 166 met for a short special meeting, Monday, June 9 approving a tennis court land exchange between ISD 166 and the county. The land exchange places ownership of the tennis courts with the county, which will, according to previous statements from representatives of the Cook County Tennis Association, improve funding possibilities for that facility. In return, ISD 166 gains ownership of a parcel of county land that encompasses part of the school baseball field.

May 2008

City of Grand Marais provides $7,500 to the CCTA fund raising efforts to reconstruct three public courts.

The Tennis in the Parks Committee and USTA Northern awarded a Public Facility grant in the amount of $6,000 to the CCTA to used in the renovations of the Public Tennis Courts in Grand Marais. The check was presented to the CCTA, May 17 at the courts by Pat Colbert, assistant executive director, USTA Northern.

The CCTA has raised $78,500 for the reconstruction of three tennis courts that includes fencing, lighting, storage facility, landscaping, handicap accessibility and enhanced viewing area. Still needed to complete this project is $104,000. Contributions will be appreciated. Contact John Muus, 218 387-2198; Rod Wannebo, 218 387-1288; Gene Glader, 218 387-9388 or Mike Carlson, 218 387-2257 for further information

Cook County Tennis Court Project
(Click picture for larger view)