|
Written by Carolyn Oravitz
|
|
Thursday, 14 June 2012 12:54 |
The Valley Tennis & Swim Club (VTSC) was graced by new ownership in 2010, and the greater Wyoming Valley and Back Mountain communities are better for the vision of its neighbors.
 Having served the local community for more than 40 years, the Club came upon its new life with an established reputation and striving for excellence that began in the 1960s. Well-kept sloping lawns dotted with colorful flowers and looming shade trees offer a picturesque and welcoming setting for the club’s tennis courts, pool, and clubhouses.
Valley Tennis & Swim Club, located at 211 Harris Hill Road, in Trucksville, retained its well-known moniker, but is now owned by The Rock Recreation Center, at 340 Carverton Road, which shares a natural property boundary.
“The previous owners wanted to sell and we were happy to expand our services to the community,” said The Rock Assistant Director Elijah Miller.
A yearly membership to The Rock can now include a membership to the Club at a substantial savings – memberships are available for The Rock alone or in combination with Valley Tennis & Swim Club. Many of the programs and services can be enjoyed without purchasing a yearly membership, however.
The Club has the distinction of being named an official USTA Welcome Center – a place where the public can go to learn the game of tennis. VTSC joins in a national effort to promote the game, and, for the past several years, has hosted USTA Middle State Junior tournaments as well as the Pennsylvania Keystone Games.
The Club has 10 tennis courts, eight of which are Har-Tru® (clay). A clay surface is used by professionals, whereas tennis courts at most high schools and parks are blacktop. Clay surfaces are better on the joints, so the courts at the Club are top-quality. Nets have been replaced and other cosmetic changes have been made. The Rock Director Doug Miller and Assistant Elijah Miller (no relation) went for training in South Carolina to learn how to properly maintain the tennis courts to keep them in excellent condition.
Tennis camps and clinics are offered and taught by Head Pro Tim Haus, who has more than 28 years of coaching and teaching experience in all levels of play. Haus is a USPTA Professional at Birchwood Tennis and Fitness Club in Clarks Summit, a USTA Competition Training Center head coach, and the Middle States BG16 Zonals coach. Another asset to the Club is Wyoming Seminary Girls’ Tennis Coach Mike Balutanski, who is available for private lessons.
The 25-yard regulation pool with lap lanes provides a refreshing swim or a chance to relax at an umbrella table or lounge chair. Locker rooms are available for changing and handicapped-accessible bathrooms and access to the clubhouse have been added. The new owners updated the pool chlorination system and a Pro Shop and poolside snack bar are on-site as well.
VTSC also provides two clubhouses that have full locker rooms for patrons. One of the attractive clubhouses has an outside wraparound deck with tables and chairs and an inside banquet/lounge area with a wood-burning fireplace. The clubhouse, pool, and tennis courts can be used for parties and the property is a popular venue for family and class reunions, anniversary soirees, and birthday and graduation parties. The clubhouse holds 100 to 120 people inside and 150 outside for poolside parties, and you do not have to be a member to rent the facilities for your special event.
Since The Rock Recreation Center and Valley Tennis & Swim Club properties border each other, and thanks to corporate donations, a $10,000 pavilion was built halfway between the two, along a wooded trail, which is used for the Youth Wilderness Experience (www.Youthwilderness.com) and can also be rented for outdoor parties. A multipurpose field used for soccer and field hockey camps is also available for rent.
A multi-sport summer camp is offered for children weekdays from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. and is greatly appreciated by parents who want a safe and enjoyable place for their children to spend their summer hours.
Tennis courts are open from the beginning of May to mid-October and the heated pool is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day, with certified lifeguards. Swimming lessons and camps, soccer camps, basketball camps, field hockey camps, tennis camps, and clinics are some of the many options for recreation and training. Private lessons are also available.
For more information, visit www.rockrec.org, call The Rock Recreation Center at (570) 696-2769, or email
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
.
|
