Group seeks to bring indoor tennis complex to Moses Lake
The Chiefs number 1 doubles team of Carina LeFave, front, and Kylie McKay compete during the WIAA tournament in May. Tennis advocates are hoping to bring an indoor tennis complex to Moses Lake so athletes can play year-round.
MOSES LAKE - Tennis coaches and advocates Rich Gregoire and Richard Teals want to give children and adults in the area an opportunity to play year-round tennis.
They formed the Basin Tennis Club, with seven board members, earlier in the year and are working to get an indoor, two-court facility built in Moses Lake within two years.
Gregoire said the goal is "to bring fitness, health and social opportunities to Basin communities through tennis."
He said with summer temperatures soaring above 100 degrees and snow and below freezing temperatures in the winter, the number of days to play tennis outside in the area are limited.
Ideally, the facility would help foster a culture of tennis and wellness that is accepting to all skills levels, but could give young players the opportunity to reach their potential.
"A lot of people aren't looking to go on tour, they just want a place where they can play year-round and be healthy," he said.
Teals said the facility would be for children and adults and could have programs for seniors.
They said the facility would be similar to the two-court section of Richland's Columbia Basin Racquet Club.
Gregoire who is also the Moses Lake High School tennis coach, said having a year-round facility could dramatically improve the competitiveness of future Chiefs' tennis players.
Teals, who is the former Chiefs tennis coach, said he has seen many talented MLHS players win local tournaments, and then get beat by players from Walla Walla, Tri-Cities, Yakima and Spokane who have indoor facilities.
He said the ability to play year-round could have a dramatic affect on future high school players.
Gregoire said they don't want to establish a youth academy, he said many potential members just want a comfortable place to get healthy.
The group applied for non-profit status and is looking for investors to fund the project. Residents who want to reserve a place in the new Basin Tennis Club can do so for $200.
Interested parties should contact Gregoire for more information at (509) 989-3233, kokka@scml.us or P.O. Box 191, Moses Lake, WA 98837.