BURBANK : Tennis Center Likely to Open in September

Burbank has begun negotiations with a local tennis pro to build a tennis center using city facilities at McCambridge Park.

Mary Alvord, the city’s director of parks and recreation, said the program would probably open in September.

“I’m hoping to get something going by Aug. 1,” said Steve Starleaf, the tennis pro. The city attorney’s office is drafting a contract, and Starleaf plans to meet with city officials next week.

“It should be smooth,” Starleaf said of the negotiations, which are expected to take about a month. “I’ve already submitted a proposal that’s fairly detailed.”

Starleaf has said he proposes to charge Burbank residents $3 an hour to play on courts after 4 p.m. on weekdays and before 4 p.m. on Saturdays. Play would be free other times. Non-residents would pay $4.

Starleaf said he would offer a six-week tennis course for $25. The city now offers a nine-week course at $27.50.

“I’m cautiously optimistic,” said Starleaf, who was supported by several tennis enthusiasts at last week’s City Council meeting, when the council voted to allow the negotiations to go forward. Starleaf, who is also assistant tennis coach at Burbank High School, had been selected from among six candidates by the Burbank Park and Recreation Board.

Councilman Dave Golonski said he supported Starleaf because the program, which would be accessible to children, would offer benefits to disadvantaged or at-risk youngsters.

The park has a 2,600-square-foot multipurpose building and eight tennis courts, about half of all the public tennis courts in the city.