Community Corner

A New Future For Tennis Stadium?

Could an outside group save the historic local structure?

There may yet be a future that includes sporting events and concerts for the West Side Tennis Stadium, according to a local historic preservationist.

After a proposal to sell the stadium to Forest Hills developer failed last year, the club went through another round of proposals, with a deadline set for Nov. 4.

One of the submitted proposals, according to local historian Michael Perlman, originated with the Stadium Arts Alliance, a group that would reportedly like to restore the stadium and use it for tennis and hockey exhibitions, as well as public concerts.

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“Since the Forest Hills Tennis Stadium became endangered in July 2010 for typical condos, we have advocated for the historic stadium's preservation and creative-reuse as a mixed-use venue, to benefit the greater community and the ,” Perlman said. “We will support any plan that encompasses tennis, music and art festivals, and restores the iconic features of the iconic Stadium. There is always hope towards preserving and reusing our historic sites, as long as there is creativity, dedication, and proactive teamwork.”

The club membership elected a new president on Nov. 3, selecting club member Roland Meier to replaced former President Kenneth Parker. Meier is currently out of the country and could not comment on the number of bids that had been made.

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The club membership will vote on which proposal to accept early next year.

In the past, the , citing the building’s deteriorating condition. 


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