To the editor:

I am a longtime regular tennis player on Bainbridge Island and am also dismayed at the new normal regarding our public tennis courts.

In Jessica Shelton’s February story, “Sakai Park Planning continues,” she quotes Bob Linz: “There are already six or 10 or 12 tennis courts on the island and it’s not like the public need is not being met.”

Bob Linz is mis-informed. There is a new normal. After receiving a 911 call in April from a man who said: “I just saw a student walking to Bainbridge High School’s cafeteria with a gun.” That call prompted a massive response from law enforcement. Duane Fish, the new 2016 principal, has since closed all public access to the tennis courts and the entire track and field areas.

The six tennis courts are no longer open to the public during school hours or after school for team practice and competition. This policy is in effect and enforced from September through mid June, effectively eliminating court access except on Saturday or Sunday.

Summer access is allowed, but Bainbridge Park & Recreation District programs keep those courts busy from early morning through 3-4 p.m. daily. The public can play on Saturday or Sunday.

Bainbridge has just four tennis courts that are truly public. Two courts at Battle Point are in fair condition. The single courts at Eagledale and Strawberry Hill need improvement.

To compound our 60 percent reduced court availability (10 courts to four) the park district has planned to add pickleball lines to the Battle Point courts, further restricting tennis players’ court times.

Bainbridge population grew 12.5 percent from 2000-2015. Kitsap County’s Growth by Jurisdiction for Bainbridge Island through 2035 is forecasted to increase from 23,496 to 29,131, a 24 percent increase.

Bainbridge parks would need to build six tennis courts at Sakai to provide the same court availability we had from 2000-2015 not taking growth into consideration. We would need eight to 10 courts at Sakai to address the forecasted growth. The United States Tennis Association recommends one court for every 2,000 residents. That would be 12-14 courts.

HARVEY GILBERT

Bainbridge Island