“This idea was brought to us by several members of the community who use both our court and the city courts at Raymond Rimkus Park,” the FOCA board said in a memo to the City of Leon Valley.

The city, however, does not want to take over the court unless it can be converted to a basketball court.

“We can always use additional parkland, but not for a tennis court with a high price tag for repair and maintenance,” said Bert Thomas, a member of the Leon Valley Park Commission.

He said a basketball court could accommodate up to 10 people at a time.

FOCA member Renee Baird said the basketball option is off the table, saying that the board does not want safety and crime concerns.

“The minute I said basketball, there was quite an uproar,” Baird said, adding that many teachers and police officers said basketball courts are known for trouble.

“We have some history of basketball being played there … and we had lots of problems,” she added.

However, the court would be closed at nightfall, and there was speculation about the concerns were statistically sound. Mayor Chris Riley requested crime statistics, and further negotiations involving face-to-face meetings with FOCA and the city are in the wings.

FOCA has seen dropping membership for years, and the enrollment price is currently $180 a season. The last rate hike was $5 in 1989. The club, which only has 231 members, would require 325 to 350 members to break even.

“We are aware of our own mismanagement,” Baird said, adding that the board thought the city would be pleased to enter the agreement to serve the senior citizens and students who use the courts.

Pool and tennis court access are amenities that add to the value of a home, the mayor added.

Many council members express hope that FOCA and the city can reach an agreement.

“If we can spread out our recreation capabilities, to me that’s a win-win situation,” Irene Baldridge said.

Councilman Philip Manea said the basketball court could be a good thing for Leon Valley youth, who the mayor says have vocalized their desire for a court.

“The kids are residents, too, and we want to keep them off the streets. This might be the perfect place for them to go,” Manea said.

FOCA, a not-for-profit recreational organization, was established in 1966.

– Sarah Snyder