Minutes of FOFTC meeting held July 15, 2025                (last updated July 29, 2025) 

FOFTC - Friends of Faulkner Tennis Center​

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Present were: Becky M., Edward K., Glenda, H., Ikey E., JoAnn G., Leanne Robinette, Matt W., Mario, J., Peggy S., Ryan S., Susan D.,

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1. Meeting began at 5:30 with handouts and introductions. 

   • Handouts included current list of donors and reports from others about planned donations. 

2. Donations to FOF are tracked by Becky before being handed over to the city and 

   the city keeps all funds from FOF as a separate line item. 

3. Tyler P&R is committed to matching the funds raised by FOF. 

   The availability of matching funds is limited and may not be immediately available. 

4. To date: FOF funds, P&R matching funds and grants from USTA have:

   1. Replaced the sunscreen over the middle pavilion​

   2. Resurfaced all eight courts

   3. Refurbished six benches and 

   4. committed to middle court sun shades as needed 

5. Both the resurfacing project above and the Phase II project are being done with USTA TVS​

   United States Tennis Association - Tennis Venue Services.  TVS is a free service provided by USTA to help facilities like ours use best practices in efforts to maintain and enhance our facilities. By working with and complying to USTA-TVS standards, we are also eligible for grants from USTA. The maximum grant from USTA, currently, is $250,000.

6. PHASE II - USTA TVS has provided a preliminary estimate of $3.6 million for our phase II project. ​

   1. Phase II is another block of 2 outdoor courts and 2 blocks of three covered courts for 8 additional courts added to the FTC complex. ​There was discussion about covered courts being eligible for USTA sanctioned events. 

7. Phase II is forecast to cost $3.6 million. As per the matching funds provision with the city, FOF will raise $1.8MM. ​

   The grant from USTA would count as part of the FOF $ and be matched by the city.

8. Leanne gave some details on how the city matches funds

   1. 1st: She said any project that brings funds to be matched is huge. It shows public commitment and interest and consequently raises the likelihood of and accelerates the timing of matching funds.​

   2. Matches of this size typically come from the 1/2 cent sales tax fund or possibly the landfill dumping fees

   3. The city is currently stretched with water and drainage issues (which take precedent over projects like ours) 

   4. City year is Oct-Oct. Leanne felt a realistic completion date if our funds were available now would be 2027.

9. Leanne commented on the Genecov planned development and ideas for handling increase flow to the Genecov development and Faulkner Park. (The parking lots to the east of FTC will not be in the final plans)

   (see Genecov Plans - click here) ​

10. Discussion on how to solicit funds.  Especially in conjunction with TylerToday Article in Aug/Sep Issue 

    1. Take the large backed diagram which has the summary price estimate from USTA attached on the back. ​

    2. 90% success rate when you visit in person. ​

    3. Review the "NO" document for ideas on how to help a potential donor see value

    4. There are opportunities for a major donor to "Brand" with their name and/or logo. 

    5. The Tyler Community Tennis Association may be an entity to capture Venmo, Paypal and other donations that would be handed over in full to FOF;  QR code at events for example

11. Discussion of maintenance Endowment funded with excess funds. ​
    (Click here to see example facility budget for 8 court facility - $25,000 / year) 

12. 6:30 Meeting adjourned 

Thanks so much interested people and donors!

Please let me know if you have comments on these minutes. 

Respectfully submitted:  Edward Keyser  903.330.5221  Edward@TriSail.net