The USTA recently announced that Cherry Hill Health and Racquet Club (CHHRC) in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, is one of 12 winners in the 35th annual USTA Facility Awards program. The program recognizes excellence in the construction and/or renovation of tennis facilities throughout the country.
CHHRC is the largest tennis and multi-sport facility in the Delaware Valley encompassing more than 160,000 square feet, and has been in existence since 1971.
“Great tennis facilities like the Cherry Hill Health and Racquet Club help us to grow the game at the grass-roots level, and we are proud to recognize them for their ongoing impact on the sport of tennis,” said Kurt Kamperman, chief executive of community tennis for USTA, in a press release. “Cherry Hill Health and Racquet Club has embraced many of our tennis initiatives and kept the sport at the forefront of its community each year.”
To be considered for an award, facilities must be under the jurisdiction of a park and recreation department, an educational institution, a nonprofit corporation or be a private or commercially owned and operated facility that offers both USTA and public programming designed to help grow tennis.
Facilities were judged on a variety of criteria including overall layout and adaptation to site, excellence of court surface and lights, ease of maintenance, accommodations for players, the facilities’ participation in USTA programs and more.
Here, Bill Lemanski, Cherry Hill’s general manager, discusses what the award means for the facility:
CS: What does becoming a USTA Outstanding Facility national award winner mean for Cherry Hill?
BL: It’s great to be recognized for all the hard work and years of top services that we have performed at Cherry Hill Health and Racquet Club. Winning this prestigious award will pave the way for CHHRC to continue to attract top tennis professionals to maintain and grow our performance.
CS: What are the main factors or keys to success that contributed to Cherry Hill winning the award? What does your facility excel at?
BL: The main factor which enabled us to win the award is our great staff. Every staff member at CHHRC takes pride in the services we perform and the upkeep of our facility. Creating a clean, friendly atmosphere for our members is always our top priority.
CS: What tips could you provide on how to be successful to other gyms with tennis programs?
BL: Know your members and make sure that you are providing programs that will enable them to have fun and grow their tennis game. In addition, I would recommend that all facilities adhere to the USTA color guidelines for your youth programs. When you grow your youth program properly it sets you up for long-term success.
CS: What best practices do you use to cultivate a top facility and tennis program?
BL: Invest in your staff. Take your time and hire the right people, and then set a path for them to grow and have success. In addition, always re-invest in your facility.
CS: Is there anything else about this award or Cherry Hill you’d like to share?
BL: I can’t say enough how proud I am of the entire staff at Cherry Hill. We are honored that their hard work is recognized.
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Rachel Zabonick-Chonko is the editor-in-chief of Club Solutions Magazine. She can be reached at rachel@peakemedia.com.
