Free tennis or user fees?

Despite a meeting which took place in the hours preceding the council meeting, the two sides could not come to an agreement. Borough Council seemed willing to relax its rules to accommodate certain groups, but there was no question of withdrawing the plan for imposing user fees. One of the speakers who addressed Mayor Trudel said, "You are arrogant!"

Judging from the comments received, several opponents would be in favor of a seasonal pass that would give them free access (unmonitored) to tennis courts in their neighborhood. They would also agree that invited “guests” without the Verdun Access card be charged $10 an hour. This $10 hourly charge would also be applicable to profit-oriented companies who reserve the courts for their own use.

One of the opponents explained to the representative of Magazine that this approach is supported by a majority of users, and that it answers the need for timely access without supervision. It would allow greater flexibility, given the constraints of work and children. He said that access to outdoor tennis has always been free for decades in Verdun Borough.

Opponents also reject the comparison to other fee-based activities like swimming in public pools, soccer or baseball. They argue that the comparison is inappropriate because the Borough’s expenses to provide facilities for these different sports are much more significant. A reader sent an e-mail asking: "In your opinion, does a tennis court cost more than a pool or arena to maintain?"

As of the writing of this report, it seemed that Borough Council has no intention of abandoning the principle of user fees for tennis courts. Mayor Trudel however told those present at the meeting last week that this was a unanimous decision on the part of city officials. It would also seem that the rates proposed by Verdun Borough are lower than those charged by other jurisdictions in the City of Montreal.