Tennis says thanks

The Columbia Falls High School tennis season is underway, and with almost 50 student-athletes participating, I want to take this opportunity to thank the Columbia Falls City Council and specifically Don Barnhart for taking a chance on our kids and the entire tennis community in Columbia Falls.

Several years ago the tennis courts at Columbus Park had become unplayable, and because the cost of new courts was prohibitive, it looked like the city and therefore the high school would lose tennis as a recreation and as a high school sport. A small committee of concerned parents worked diligently to provide the city with accurate costs for rebuilding the courts completely, but when it became obvious the city could not afford new courts, this committee proposed a less expensive alternative in the form of the current plastic courts. This alternative seemed destined to also be rejected because of financial constraints, but Don Barnhart spoke up in favor of the investment because he recalled playing tennis as a kid at Columbus Park. With Mr. Barnhart’s leadership, the council took the risk, and tennis is still part of our parks and our school programs.

On behalf of the Columbia Falls tennis teams and countless community members young and old, thank you Columbia Falls City Council.

Sincerely,

Gene Marcille

CFHS Tennis