Many players have asked who would be affected by a long‑term $1 lease of PTC.
To help everyone understand the impacts clearly, here is a simple breakdown of who loses, who breaks even, and who wins under the proposal.

This is not advocacy — it is just factual information so our community can stay informed.

 
🔴 Who Loses

PTC Community (Tennis Players)

• Higher fees and fewer affordable options
• The discounted pass is not guaranteed under private operation, even for the first 3 years, because under USTA management fees would be over double
• Levy‑funded discounts will run short after a few years, forcing the City to explain how it will cover the discount deficit
• Less access for seniors, juniors, beginners, and community programs
• Culture shifts from community‑based to revenue‑based

Bottom line: The community loses affordability, stability, and identity.

 
PTC Staff & Coaches:

(The most overlooked — and most vulnerable — group)

• No guaranteed jobs under USTA, especially for City employees
• No guaranteed better wages or benefits
• No written agreement protecting staff with seniority or hours
• Risk of replacement by USTA’s own coaching staff
• Loss of PP&R protections, union support, and City employment standards
• Pressure to shift from community‑focused teaching to revenue‑driven programming
• Loss of multilingual, culturally diverse coaching team that serves beginners, seniors, and adaptive players

Bottom line: Staff and coaches face job insecurity, loss of protections, and a shift away from the community‑centered coaching model that makes PTC unique.

 
PP&R (Portland Parks & Recreation)

• Loses 30 years of surplus revenue from PTC
• Becomes more dependent on levies and taxes
• Loses a stable, high‑performing asset that subsidizes other community centers
• Faces long‑term budget pressure without PTC’s revenue surplus

Bottom line: PP&R loses a reliable revenue generator and weakens its financial stability.

 
Portland Residents (PDX)

• Lose public control of a public asset for 30 years
• Face higher fees and fewer discounts
• Lose the ability to influence programming or pricing
• Risk losing the community‑centered culture of PTC

Bottom line: Portlanders pay more and get less.

 
🟡 Who Breaks Even or Unclear

City Council (Short Term)

• Avoids a one‑time capital repair cost
• But loses 30 years of revenue
• Faces public backlash if affordability drops
• Levy backfill funds will run short after a few years, requiring a plan to cover the discount deficit
• Four City employees at PTC would be displaced (including the PTC manager)
• All four would be forced into seniority‑based “bumping” across the City
• Creates HR, union, and equity implications
• Disproportionately affects lower‑wage, frontline, and diverse staff

Bottom line: Short‑term relief, long‑term financial, labor, and political costs.

 
🟢 Who Wins

USTA PNW

• Gains control of a fully built, revenue‑positive public asset for $1 over 30 years lease
• Acquires a stable, high‑demand customer base without construction costs
• Gains long‑term revenue from court rentals, programs, and tournaments
• Avoids land, permitting, and capital investment
• Secures a flagship indoor center in a major metro area at almost no cost

Bottom line: USTA gets a rare, extremely low‑cost expansion opportunity.

 
The Simple Summary

Players lose — higher fees, less access, no public oversight.
Staff & coaches lose — no job guarantees, no wage guarantees, no protections.
PP&R loses — gives up a revenue‑positive asset for 30 years.
Portland residents lose — a public asset becomes private for a generation.
City Council breaks even short‑term, but faces long‑term risks.
USTA wins big — low cost, high revenue, long‑term control.
 
Thank You

Thank you for taking the time to read this update.

Our community is strongest when everyone has clear, factual information.

If this helped you understand the proposal better, please share it with other players, staff, and coaches so everyone can stay informed.