FAQ – GGPTC Renovation Project


The Renovation Process

Q. When will the renovation take place and how long will it take?

A. Construction begins in late April 2019 and should be complete in early 2021.

Q. Where will I play when these courts are under construction?

A. As players we are fortunate to live in a city with more than 150 public tennis courts at our disposal. During the time of construction, there will be as many as 130 public courts throughout the City.
We recognize that those who play regularly at Golden Gate Park will miss their “home courts” during construction. We are confident that playing elsewhere during construction will be well worth the wait – in the end, we will have a beautiful new facility that we can all enjoy.

Q. How much will the renovation cost?

A. The renovation project is estimated to cost approximately $27 million. That budget will be finalized once there are bids in from contractors in 2019. Court and hardscape construction, utilities, grading, building construction and their associated costs make up the majority of the budget.

Q. Why are you still raising money?

A. The Campaign for Golden Gate Park Tennis Center goal is $30M.  We continue to work toward this goal to provide critical funding for construction contingencies, to support important programs like SF Rec & Park's award-winning Tennis & Learning Center program, and get a jump start on the maintenance fund that will preserve this wonderful asset for future generations.

Q. Who will pay for the renovation?

A. This is a gift to the city of San Francisco. The Tennis Coalition SF (fiscally sponsored by the SF Parks Alliance) plans to raise the majority of funds from foundations, grants and individual donors. SF Rec & Park will be providing almost $4 million of park bond dollars to fund the construction and electrical connection required for the new GGTPC.

Features of the Renovated Facility

Q. Will there be lights?

A. There will be focused, tennis-specific LED lighting which will allow for over 20,000 more hours of court time annually and to serve those who are not able to play during the day.

Q. What about security?

A. Security at night was raised as an issue and is also being addressed as part of the lighting plan. Lighting is also a key component for the exterior of the clubhouse along the entryway; however, to ensure wildlife are not disturbed at night, appropriate levels of lighting will be adjusted during the evenings. We want everyone to feel safe and be safe at the new GGPTC, including our fine-feathered friends.

Q. Will there be a café and pro shop?

A. The plans include a small pro shop behind the check-in desk which will sell items like tennis balls and grips. Space for one or two stringing machines is also planned. Currently we plan to have fresh food vending machines as well as drinks and coffee in a small kitchen (refrigerator, microwave, sink, dishwasher) which can be used for team parties and other events.

Q. Will there be additional parking?

A. There are no plans for increased parking although there will be additional bike racks both on the exterior and interior of the new clubhouse. There will be a safe pullout area for drop-offs and pick-ups, and ADA parking.

Q.  Will there be ping pong tables in the clubhouse, like there are now?

A. There will be two ping-pong tables which may be used during posted hours.

Q. Will reservation rates change?

A. Hourly fees will be:
Weekdays: $8 (residents); $12 (non-residents)
Weekends and evenings: $9; $15
Seniors*: $4; $6
Youth*: no fee; $12
USTA matches**: $18; $18
*Youth and senior discounted fees are available only during off-peak hours. The times will be established by the Operator but are expected to be weekdays before 3 p.m. for seniors and before 6 p.m. for youth.
**Fees for non-USTA tournaments will be subject to negotiation but will in no event be less than the USTA rate.

Q.  Will there be Pickleball courts at new center?

A. The facility will include San Francisco’s first permanent pickleball court with lights! In addition, some courts will have blended stripes for pickleball. Which courts those are, and how many, have yet to be determined. The pickleball court will be lighted.

Q. What is TLC and how will it affect the new Tennis Center? How can I get involved?

A. The SFRPD Tennis and Learning Center (TLC) program improves outcomes for underserved youth by promoting academic achievement, health and wellness, and social-emotional development, through the sport of tennis. Modeled after the nationally recognized East Palo Alto Tennis and Tutoring Program (EPATT), TLC teaches the skills needed for a positive future – persistence, self-control, responsibility, confidence, and resilience. Currently, SFRPD operates TLC for elementary school age kids in neighborhood sites in the Excelsior, Chinatown, Western Addition and Bayview Hunters Point. Once GGPTC reopens, TLC students from these neighborhood sites will come to Golden Gate Park during middle school for academic support and mentorship, continued tennis development, and to experience one of the most beautiful parks in the world.

Q. What will be the hours of operation?

A. We expect the facility to be open for use every day of the year from 6:30 am until 9 pm.

Q. What about the courts? Will there be drying equipment? A webcam? Windscreens?

A. We expect windscreens will be installed to minimize impact from wind. Certainly, there will be squeegees and if the operator finds them effective, might provide blowers as well. Running low-voltage wiring out to all the courts necessary for webcams is currently not part of the design. Because the facility is expected to be staffed from 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, the selected operator will be in charge of reporting real-time court conditions. We do plan on electrical outlets to some of the courts for ball machine use.

Q. Who is going to run the new tennis center?

A. The Golden Gate Park Tennis Center includes many partners: SF Rec & Park, Tennis Coalition SF, and SF Parks Alliance. Together, they will work with an experienced tennis facility operator who will undergo a public selection process. The selected operator will be on site to manage the facility on a daily basis to maximize public access. Balancing all of the user demands while ensuring plenty of court time for recreational and drop-in play will require a skillful hand. See SFRPD website for information about the RFP process.

Q. How will you ensure a balanced usage of the tennis courts?

A. Current usage has been examined and taken into account, as has the greater usage anticipated with the new facility including night lights and an experienced operator. The submissions by interested operators through the RFP process will include their projected court schedules and will be evaluated as part of the RFP selection process. The selected operator will be expected to balance the diverse recreation needs of tennis players of all ages and skill levels. As a result, the selected operator will be expected to manage recreational play, lessons, clinics, challenge courts, ball machine rental, league, scholastic, drop-in play and more. The operator selection and lease negotiations process will include ongoing public feedback which will allow the public to ensure an equitable and balanced use of the tennis courts.