July 2009 -- With the Midwestern weather putting the freeze on their outdoor court time, two seasoned teaching pros knew they had to go year-round.
But instead of seeking employment at an existing indoor facility, these bold entrepreneurs decided to build their own tennis haven.
USPTA members Karen Neuman and Kim Wedige held a May groundbreaking for the new Green Bay Tennis Center in Ashwaubenon, Wis.
The 45,000-square-foot building with six indoor, asphalt courts, is scheduled to open in September. The project, valued at nearly $3 million, includes a pro shop, office, lounge, mezzanine viewing area and locker rooms.
Neuman and Wedige were not deterred by the task of securing a $2.8 million loan. Nor were these two experienced businesswomen discouraged by the fact that facility ownership/management is largely still a man's world (only about 20 percent of the Club Managers Association of America's professional members are women).
"I guess it is unique, but that also holds true to the overall tennis-teaching profession - more men than women," said Neuman, who has grown used to being in the minority at both country clubs and colleges.
Neuman and Wedige, former University of Wisconsin-Green Bay coaches, currently work together at Green Bay Country Club in Bellevue. Neuman, a certified professional and 33-year member of USPTA, is director of tennis and Wedige, a Recreational Coach, is general manager.
These two longtime friends and colleagues will no longer have to sit out the winter and limit their teaching to three or four months a year. But that was not the only reason they decided to build a new year-round tennis center, even in the midst of a recession.
Marketing studies determined that consumer demand in the Green Bay area can support 20 indoor courts - twice the existing number. Currently, Western Racquet and Fitness in Ashwaubenon has six courts and Four Seasons Tennis Club in Allouez has four.
"I have been director of tennis at all the clubs in Green Bay over the past 28 years," Neuman said. "It became apparent that there are not enough courts to play or teach on or for the colleges to use, so the logical move would be to build our own.
"Both Kim and I have built quite a following and clientele in Green Bay and, more importantly, make Green Bay our home," Neuman explained. "We both have children and my husband has a business based in Green Bay, and it would have been very difficult to leave the area we love.
"We have a great passion for the game and business," she continued. "We feel we have done our homework after years and years of being in the industry and being Division I college coaches.
"We have, in the last eight to 10 years, somewhat changed our philosophy as tennis-teaching pros to become also business-minded," the tennis director said.
"At the country club where we are employed, we started at the dirt level. After four summers, everything is running smoothly and growing, both in social memberships and tennis programming. We also manage the entire sport center, which includes a par-3 golf course, 18-hole putting range, Olympic-size outdoor swimming pool and aquatic programs, fitness and exercise classes, food and beverage, sand volleyball, and babysitting services for the members."
Although she will have to discuss the matter with her board of directors, Neuman hopes to retain her affiliation with the Green Bay Country Club. "I think I can, with a competent staff, continue the current program at the country club four months of the year and enhance that program by having a year-round option for club members," she said.
At the new tennis center, "I will have quite a wonderful part-time staff to manage, although I hope to continue to teach 20 hours or so a week," Neuman said. "We have hired someone to handle the pro shop and Kim will be teaching very minimally as she has the management duties of the entire club."
Neuman and Wedige plan to hire USPTA Professionals and encourage them to attend continuing-education seminars.
As far as priorities in programming, "junior-development programs will be our cornerstone," Neuman said. "There is a huge market for kids in sports in Green Bay and we are pushing the lifelong-sport aspect. Obviously, the economy will affect us, but we have budgeted to enable the everyday person to afford our facility and programs.
"We will be offering a very inviting junior membership and will spend a great deal of time with all of the high school coaches during the year," Neuman said. "Hopefully they will find our facility welcoming and tournaments will follow for high school play.
"In this day and age of rushing and lack of quality, we will spend a great deal of time developing programs for the young, the 55-and-older group, and everyone in between, with a 'hands-on' approach. Customer service has been a lost art for many years in our industry and we are bringing it back.
"This has been a dream-come-true for both of us," Neuman said on behalf of herself and her business partner. "It is our mission to run a great club and we know we can do it. We feel fortunate and also feel that it is a great time to pursue this new business. We have decided that it is a time for opportunity, not negativity."
