Rolling Hills : Tennis Courts, Trails Closed

City tennis courts, equestrian rings and riding trails have been closed by the Rolling Hills Community Assn. and will probably remain closed until the city and association find new liability insurance coverage, said Nicholas Hornberger, an association officer.

Liability coverage for both the city and the association lapsed on Jan. 8. Both had been notified in October that their insurer, Chicago Insurance Co., would no longer provide municipal liability coverage. The association, a private corporation, leases the courts and rings from the city and is responsible for maintaining trails throughout the gated community.

As of Wednesday, neither the city nor the association had found an alternate insurance provider. “I’m hoping that we get something very soon,” Hornberger said.

A professional evaluation of the safety of the city’s three tennis courts and two riding rings will begin late this week to see if any risks can be eliminated, said City Manager Terrence Belanger. Caballeros del Rancho Palos Verdes, a Rolling Hills-based equestrian club, has offered to assist with evaluation of riding trails.

Rolling Hills residents who use the tennis and riding facilities have expressed concern over their closing. Equestrians cannot get to other trails on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, said Dave Breiholz, Caballeros president. “For the most part they think it is an overreaction,” he said.

Don Robertson, president of the Rolling Hills Tennis Club, said that while members are not pleased with the court closure, “everyone has been understanding.”