Spring Break
Still no fix for Rhody tennis courts; Bjorn, Wood optimistic about options
Brandon Gearing
Issue date: 4/17/09 Section: Sports
04/17/09 - It has been a little more than three weeks since Quinnipiac University head coach Mike Quitko opted not to allow his team to play on the University of Rhode Island's tennis courts on March 26, citing the unsafe condition of the courts as a concern.
"I didn't think [the courts] were safe for my players to play on," Quitko said after the match was called.
Today, cracks continue to litter the playing surface and no official deal has been reached to fix the courts.
"It is my understanding that everyone is in agreement about the courts," women's tennis head coach Sandy Wood said. "It's absolutely crucial for the team. I feel that our caliber of a team deserves to have a first class, outdoor tennis facility and I think that's what we'll end up with."
The Rhody women had to move two of their home matches to North Kingstown High School, after other opponents complained about the unsafe condition.
"It certainly is a priority to get the courts fixed," athletic director Thorr Bjorn said. "This issue has risen to the top of our list as something that needs to be addressed."
Bjorn says the university has had a number of companies come in to address the situation of the courts and provide an estimated cost.
The companies have given URI three options to repair the courts. One involves temporarily patching the cracks as URI has done in the past, one involves grinding down the surface to its base and recycling the court material and one involves completely redoing the courts.
Patching the courts is the cheapest and also the least effective, costing the university $16,000-$18,000 for six courts. Bjorn says that is not an option at the moment because he is looking for a more permanent fix.
"The focus that I have along with other folks within the administration is that if we're going to do it, we need to do it right," Bjorn said. "Certainly there are challenges with resources but I really think we need to look at fixing them once and for all."
"I didn't think [the courts] were safe for my players to play on," Quitko said after the match was called.
Today, cracks continue to litter the playing surface and no official deal has been reached to fix the courts.
"It is my understanding that everyone is in agreement about the courts," women's tennis head coach Sandy Wood said. "It's absolutely crucial for the team. I feel that our caliber of a team deserves to have a first class, outdoor tennis facility and I think that's what we'll end up with."
The Rhody women had to move two of their home matches to North Kingstown High School, after other opponents complained about the unsafe condition.
"It certainly is a priority to get the courts fixed," athletic director Thorr Bjorn said. "This issue has risen to the top of our list as something that needs to be addressed."
Bjorn says the university has had a number of companies come in to address the situation of the courts and provide an estimated cost.
The companies have given URI three options to repair the courts. One involves temporarily patching the cracks as URI has done in the past, one involves grinding down the surface to its base and recycling the court material and one involves completely redoing the courts.
Patching the courts is the cheapest and also the least effective, costing the university $16,000-$18,000 for six courts. Bjorn says that is not an option at the moment because he is looking for a more permanent fix.
"The focus that I have along with other folks within the administration is that if we're going to do it, we need to do it right," Bjorn said. "Certainly there are challenges with resources but I really think we need to look at fixing them once and for all."
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