December’s Timberlane closure highlights need for indoor tennis

November 4, 2015 · 0 Comments

(An open letter to Mayor and Council)

The closing of Timberlane in December represents more of a loss to our community than just a place to play tennis, provide junior programs, raise funds for Southlake and other charities, work out and keep fit.
There is indeed a negative ripple effect that should be of concern to our local governance.
Linda and I moved to Aurora 12 years ago from our long-time home in Thornhill. As retirees, we were both active members of the Richmond Hill Country Club (RHCC). When we moved to Aurora, we retained our membership at RHCC and continued to travel there daily for the first five years of living here in Wycliffe Gardens, next door to Timberlane.
We were hesitant to leave behind all of the familiarity and acquaintances that we had made over so many years. Since we were in Richmond Hill daily, we continued to shop for food, clothing, incidentals, restaurants and general entertainment.
For a while, we considered moving back to Thornhill since our activities were still concentrated there.
Seven years ago, we decided to give Timberlane a try. We were immediately welcomed by the membership and within a short period, became active members of this wonderful facility.
In short order, we made new friends, curtailed our routine trips to RHCC and Thornhill and became avid supporters of our club, community and local merchants. Over that past few years, we’ve spent not only the majority of our time in Aurora, but also the majority of our dollars as well with local stores and merchants.
New cars (including servicing) boutique clothing shops, restaurants, movie theatres, furniture, etc., became our preferred shopping venue. We re-located our mother to an Aurora seniors’ residence since we were no longer routinely travelling down to Thornhill – and all of this local spending was because of there being an all-season place for us to enjoy our life and time in Aurora.
While we can appreciate why Timberlane is closing its doors in December, we can’t understand why the Town of Aurora has not initiated its replacement with an alternative indoor facility.
With the loss of Timberlane and its members, there is sure to be a ripple effect on the local merchants of Aurora as well. Members who reside in perimeter areas like north Richmond Hill, Oak Ridges, King, Ballantrae and Newmarket will no longer have the need to routinely travel to Aurora and spend their dollars.
Respectfully, don’t you think that we tennis enthusiasts and the merchants of Aurora deserve a positive solution? With the prior closing of Glenway and now Timberlane, surely there is a need for a permanent Indoor Tennis and Sports Facility in one of the more prosperous Communities in Canada!

Fred Romito
Aurora