Burbank Council Votes to Study Proposal to Build Tennis Center

The Burbank City Council voted Tuesday to study whether to allow construction of a championship-style tennis center and family sports complex in the city.

Former tennis professional Steve Starleaf has said he wants to build a $6-million to $10-million center in Stough Park.

Starleaf, who now teaches tennis, said his center would include 18 to 20 outdoor and indoor courts, a swimming pool and a clubhouse with facilities for racquetball, basketball and weight training.

Although Starleaf is the originator of the concept, the council voted to solicit other proposals for a family sports complex from developers who might be interested. They also voted to hire an economic consulting firm that would evaluate the proposals and study the viability of such a center.

Starleaf said he was pleased with the decision, even though his proposal may not be selected by the city.

“This is a first step, and a long time coming,” he said. “I sure intend for it to be my project.”

Starleaf said he wanted to build a center that would be one of the largest of its kind in Southern California. He said he wanted it to serve as one of five regional training centers of the United States Tennis Assn., the official sponsor of national tennis athletes.

Starleaf said he and several other members of a limited partnership he is involved with would finance and operate the center with private funding.

The center would be in Stough Park near the De Bell Municipal Golf Course and Starlight Amphitheatre.