RiverWinds Tennis Innovating for the Future

Continued growth has long been the goal at the , and like the golf course, the tennis facility has also seen an increase in play over the past few years.

“This year our revenue is higher this year than last year, which is good, given the economy,” said golf and tennis director Gina Pileggi. “A lot of that is a credit to our staff. Our tennis pros are fantastic, and kids love coming here.”

Pileggi and tennis pros Nancy Wilkins and Jack Keller continue to work to provide an atmosphere that is both educational and engaging for kids and adults alike. At no time was that more evident than in the spring when RiverWinds was . Around 100 players, young and old, showed up to the event and were treated to an hour lesson with the tennis great.

It was the type of moment the tennis staff envisioned when the building opened, and the type of atmosphere it aims to continually provide.

Like the golf course, the tennis club is closing in on a decade. And also like the golf course, its current state wasn’t exactly as the original plans had outlined. The original plans called for the five indoor courts to be accompanied by six outdoor courts. Despite not having the number of courts the township had hoped for, the tennis center continues to thrive.

Its recent focus has been getting younger kids involved in the sport, and so far, Pileggi said the results are encouraging.

“We are trying to stay current in the industry with innovative ideas,” said Pileggi.

To do so, RiverWinds had blended lines added to the courts, part of what Pileggi said is a major push nationwide. Blended lines are lines that are put inside the existing lines to shorten the court to help grow the 10-under division of the sport.

“We have a summer camp and private lessons and the numbers are increasing,“ Pileggi said. “We recently initiated the ‘Quick Start’ program, and in its first session it had 25 kids 10-or-under.”

Getting younger kids involved is a vital part of expanding the customer base. Many players who start young stick with the sport, and become members for many years.

“Tennis is different than golf, in that you have a lot of your same clients come back, which is good,“ Pileggi said. “But it is always good to branch out and get new people.”

To this point the overall condition of the courts have remained in quality condition. When the courts were put in, RiverWinds was told the courts would need to be replaced anywhere between the 10- and 15-year mark. Already 10 years in, Pileggi sees no reason why the courts won’t meet the high end or even exceed those expectations.

“That’s the major thing you have to worry about in the tennis facility, replacing the courts, but I think we can get at least another five years out of them.”