Friends Of The Appleby Tennis Courts

                                                  Refurbishment Of The Tennis Courts

5/8/2010  -- Project completed.

3/29/2010

Construction began on the courts with the removal of the net posts. Concrete was poured for the new posts the next day.

3/15/2010

The courts color scheme will be a dark green playing area with a summer red border. Richard M. Appleby, Jr., the son of the man for whom the courts are a memorial, made the choice. See the colors in the photos section of this site.

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3/2/2010

Chris Castagno informed the group that the Board of Trustees has accepted the recommendation of the Property Maintenance Committee to approve the renovation of the Battery Park courts. The work will involve rehabilitating the playing surface and replacing the posts and nets.

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Tennis Court Surface Work

Guardian Crack Repair System -

The most advanced crack repair product ever developed...the Guardian Crack Repair System combines an expansive fabric with an ultra-aggressive adhesive to create a repair product that is capable of 300% elongation (stretch) with longevity and durability in all types of weather and temperatures from below freezing to over 200ºF.

The Guardian Crack Repair System is a budget-friendly, long term repair method that is easily and quickly installed and coated with standard tennis court acrylic coating materials. More importantly, the Guardian Crack Repair System is waterproof. By preventing water from penetrating into the newly-repaired crack, the deterioration of that crack is significantly reduced. Thus, the long term success of the new repair is assured.

Latex-ite Coating -

Latex-ite Acrylic Color is a non-fading, weather-proof, 100% acrylic coating for use on plant mix asphalt, emulsified asphalt and suitable concrete surfaces. Latex-ite protects the underlying surface from weather and climactic conditions and is resistant to fuels, oils, alkalies and solvents. Made of acrylic resins, mineral fillers and colorfast pigments, the Latex-ite Acrylic Color System provides a tough, durable surface of uniform texture that remains flexible. Designed for use on tennis courts, basketball courts*, recreational areas and various other usages, the finished texture can be varied easily by controlling the amounts of fine mesh silica sand aggregate which is added to the Latex-ite Acrylic Color at the project site. Unlike other acrylic surfacing systems, each coat of Latex-ite Acrylic Color, is fully pigmented, resulting in richer, longer lasting, in depth color.

Net post footers / center anchors

A) Remove and replace concrete net post foundations. Foundations shall be 2'x2'x3' in depth, and bell-shaped at the bottom. Ground sleeves shall be constructed of a schedule 40 PVC pipe and fitted with an airtight cannon plug to prevent concrete seepage into the sleeve. Center tie down anchor(s) shall be a "SureGrip" heavy duty tie down anchor set into a concrete foundation 12" x 12" x 12".

B) Furnish and install three (3) sets of American Tennis Courts Deluxe Pilfer Proof

Internal Wind Net Posts only.

C) Furnish and install three (3) American Tennis Courts Deluxe Professional Tennis Nets

The Meeting Establishing The Group

1/30/2010

First Meeting of Friends Of The Appleby Courts Of New Castle

Place: Oak Knoll Books (Office of Bob Fleck, Sr.)

Attendees: Bob Fleck, Sr., Jan Churchill, Bill Schmidt, Darleen Sullivan, Juliane Jackson, Jim Stroup, and Bill Mitchell

Notes:

. Bob Fleck, Sr. presiding. Good job Bob!

. Statement of the meeting purpose.

. Background of the tennis court refurbishment issue.

. Discussion and acceptance of the group’s mission statement (see below).

. Discussion of the proposed actions. Additionally, have fund raisers or community events linked to a tournament; place ad in The New Castle Weekly soliciting city residents participation.

. Agreement to meet every 3 months.

. Jan Churchill will attend the 2/1/2010 meeting of the Trustees Property Maintenance Committee where the courts refurbishment issue will be addressed.

------------- 1/30/2010 Meeting Agenda --------------------------

Friends of the Appleby Tennis Courts of New Castle

Mission: Our mission is to provide support to the Trustees of the New Castle Common on matters concerning the Appleby Tennis Courts. These courts are an integral part of the Battery Park complex which means so much to the life of New Castle residents and visitors to our city.

What can we do?

1. Host occasional fund raising events to help defray some costs borne by the Trustees.

2. Offer limited maintenance help under the direction of the City of New Castle.

3. Continue the blog to keep everyone aware of what we are doing.

4. Act as the "eyes and ears" for the Trustees on day to day security and maintenance problems.

5. Volunteer to offer advice to the Trustees on major enhancements and improvements to the courts.

Idea for a first step. Erect signs at the front and back entrances to the court stating that these are:

The Appleby Tennis Courts of New Castle Maintained by the Trustees of The Common.