I was surprised to see the Planning Board moving along with a tennis venue on Industrial land. I think keeping this site for a potential employer of workforce housing residents a better idea. I guess according to the Tennis folks tennis is up across the Country. They say it always has a spike when times get tough . Does this speak to Ms Corsons question in the paper today? She wonders what happens if the business doesn’t meet it membership goals. I think I heard that they almost agreed to a laser tag proposal for the other industrial park, near the hockey rink. Maybe it was indoor trampolines, I don’t remember, it was not industrial use. This is the slippery slope in a down economy , anything flies. Planning, not reacting is the mandate of the the Planning Board. Let’s stick to our guns. I was amazed at the parking required for the proposed tennis club, 300 spaces. Is that a problem with the required parking equation? Is it fluky so it makes all developments go for a variance?
The proposed new tennis venue would be utilized by the same fellow that rents our courts at the Recreation Park every Summer. He is not the developer but certainly a player in the deal. The Summer tennis school he runs is the largest in NH. One of the largest actually in all of New England.
The last tennis racquet I owned was made of wood. I can manage a few volleys here and there. It is however one of those life sports, like golf, swimming. Unlike hockey , and football, and baseball. You can play it a long time if you take it easy.
I just wish it was not going in on industrial zoned land.
I would like to see us light the town courts at the recreation field. I would light the two basket ball courts as well. The tennis courts could be on coin operated timer. The new lights available today have little to no spillage. The basket ball courts would be great for the kids.
The new thing today is no cut tennis at High School and College level. So no one who tries out for the team gets cut. I guess with this new program we need more courts. The EHS team used to use the Town Courts before the the new school was built. Perhaps they will begin needing the extra courts now with the no cut provision. If they do could they do us a favor? The tennis courts at the new high school are kept locked. I think this is still the case since I last inquired. Despite continuing concerns about vandalism at the isolated campus we have to open these facilities up. Perhaps more people on campus on the weekend would deter rather than foster vandalism. The building is literally festooned with cameras anyway.
Hershey Track & Field Meet is sponsored by the Exeter Park & Recreation Dept. They currently pay the Academy 65.00 an hour to use the Academy track. Is there any reason that this can’t be held at EHS? Can someone approach the High School on this for me?
Synergy, Elements, Karate, Tennis clubs, Great Bay Fitness, Public facilities. I think the prospect for the YMCA is growing darker. If they had been able to secure a larger amount of funding initially it might have a chance. I don’t see it in the current climate at all.
A Golf Course purchase is better than a Y
I have suggested and will again, we should buy the Exeter Golf Course. I see it continuing as a golf course with a nice addition of cross country skiing( life sport), and nature trails. I believe that this parcel will turn into another huge battle like Fort Rock Farm. The Town should wake up to the prospect of a developer approaching the Club with some sort of proposal. Again , in this environment anything goes. Planning , Planning, Planning.
I posted some stats from the assessors office on workforce housing. Exeter is either number two or three in the State as to number of manufactured housing units. Frankly I do not understand Sylvia’s comment on putting Exeter on the map. I have been fortunate to travel a bit . If I say I live in Exeter this is what I hear. “Oh what a lovely Town, the Loaf and Ladle, the Academy , nice downtown” I have heard this all over the World, almost verbatim.
Here the wiki entry for workforce housing. It will help you understand the issue. Notice that NH figures prominently in the entry. Housing prices are going down.
How many years will it take for Mr Felder to complete his project? How many years till he begins? Is it really well thought out ? Will this housing have income requirements? I think you introduce stigma with these special deeds and restrictions. I also think that site is tight .
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Workforce_housing
Selectmen debate cable contract article today in the paper. Katherine Miller of DTC Attorneys is quoted. DTC? is the reporter saving space or is the acronym all we need anymore?
Mike
The Exeter Town Crier 