John Jay Boosters to Raise the Rest of Tennis Courts' Cost

The John Jay Boosters Club will be fundraising for the full cost to add six tennis courts on the John Jay campus, according to organizer Robert Labriola. The decision is a significant change for the group, as the previous plan involved getting the remaining cost through a bond referendum.

In an interview, Labriola cites the fact that the process has been delayed because work on a stormwater plan needs to be done for replacement of the nearby turf and track. Katonah-Lewisboro school district officials had been considering the same referendum date for both projects. However, because of the delay a vote might not be able to take until May 2014.

In explaining his decision, Labriola noted the uncertainty over whether such a referendum would pass, and the fact that he is limited for time in terms of his existing funds. Previous donors had been guaranteed a December 2014 completion of the project or else their money would be refunded. In addition, Labriola is concerned about how long a United States Tennis Association (USTA) grant for part of the cost will remain available.

So far around $400,000 has been raised for the project. About $200,000 needs to be raised going forward, which is intended to pay for drainage and site preparation. The cost for that work was what was previously considered for inclusion in a referendum.

Fundraising for the project began last December, according to Labriola.

In noting the change of strategy, Labriola said he did not "want to be entangled at all."

The school board was prepared to vote on Sept. 30 on whether to schedule a referendum, which had been considered for November. However, it was then discovered that a stormwater plan was not available for the original installation of the turf field.  This discovery came after New York City's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) contacted the school district after it announced its intent to be the lead agency of the project's environmental review, school board President Charles Day explained earlier this month in a statement before a meeting.

Reacting to the decision, Day, who supports adding tennis courts, said "I'm thrilled." 

Labriola plans on reaching out to previous donors and to add new ones. He also noted that people can donate through the group's website, which is www.johnjayboosters.org