I would like to address an issue regarding our lighting procedures for the tennis courts in Scarborough.
Firstly, I would like to thank Community Services for the trial program that provided free lighting for the tennis courts at Wentworth Intermediate School this summer. Now, with fall here (one of the best seasons for tennis), I wish that this service could be expanded for fall and spring so that residents could benefit from this facility as others in our neighboring communities do.
After some research, I discovered that many surrounding towns have free usage of lights on their tennis courts (Gorham, Biddeford, Westbrook, to name a few). Residents in those towns are not charged a fee for using the lights. In our town, we are. In Scarborough, lights are provided for other events (such as football and soccer); students who do not participate in these sports could enjoy playing tennis under the lights.
Tennis is a lifetime sport that can be enjoyed by all. At a time when Americans are being encouraged to rise off the couch and “get fitter,” tennis provides health benefits for both family and community. Charging a fee for using the lights that are already there is unreasonable. As in surrounding communities, Scarborough taxpayers should have free usage of these lights during seasonable playing weather.
Johanne Soucy-Camire
Scarborough
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