Last week, I spoke with YMCA DC President Pamela Curran and Chief Public Policy and Impact Officer Allison Jones about the concerns raised in the petition. I very much appreciated their willingness to engage, the President’s clear understanding of and shared values around our community’s love for indoor tennis, and her openness about the many challenges the YMCA is facing. Pamela also expressed a commitment to continued dialogue and to working with the community to explore creative solutions. 

At the same time, the conversation made clear that building new indoor aquatics facilities is currently being prioritized over maintaining indoor tennis at this site. It also appears that the proposed condo development presents the greatest obstacle to preserving indoor courts, as the land where the tennis facility sits is viewed as the primary—if not only—location for the condo construction. As a result, it's my understanding that the condo developers would require the current tennis center to be demolished. Any replacement indoor tennis facility would likely require new land and significant resources (e.g., pouring the huge concrete slab necessary for new courts). The YMCA has already explored alternative locations for indoor tennis in the area without success.

In my view, after much reflection over the past few days, it would be a real loss to demolish the existing indoor tennis facility rather than to renovate what already exists—particularly given the significant difficulties around securing new land and the substantial cost difference between renovation and new construction. At the same time, I understand and acknowledge the difficult factors that the YMCA is attempting to juggle as a private non-profit organization. 

Given this reality, how can we continue advocating for solutions that prioritize preservation of indoor tennis infrastructure?

• Are there public-private partnership opportunities with Arlington County?
• Are there private donors or institutional partners who could help support renovation of the current facilities rather than demolition?
• What other ideas should we be exploring?

This is a moment for us to think creatively, collaboratively, and strategically. Your ideas and voices are essential—thank you for continuing to engage.