More people. More tennis.
Play Tennis CR is a community effort. We help people in Campbell River pick up a racquet, find a hit and keep playing.
A few neighbours who love the game
Play Tennis CR started with one idea. Lots of people in Campbell River would play more tennis if it were easier to find someone to hit with.
"I've played tennis since I was four, and it's always been a big part of my life. I'd love for more people in Campbell River to have that too, so I'm making it easier to find someone to hit with, one new player at a time." – Jeremey Folster, founder
We're not a club. We don't run the courts. We help people get on court together, on the public courts like any other player.
What we believe
Everyone belongs. New, returning or playing every week. Nobody has to prove they're good enough to get on court.
Teach, don't sell. We'll show you how to start, share what we know and point you to good lessons.
Partners, not rivals. The City's recreation programs are a good first step. The Campbell River Tennis Club offers its own memberships and programs. Pickleball players are our neighbours on the courts. We want to work alongside everyone.
What we do today
We help people find a hit. Tell us when you're free and how much you've played. We'll match you with someone who fits.
We plan friendly sessions. When the season allows, we'll post casual sessions on public courts. All levels welcome.
We count, honestly. We keep simple totals: how many people want to play, when, and whether they'd play indoors in winter. We never show names, levels or times publicly.
The problem is the calendar
Tennis is a sport for life. You can come back to it after twenty years and still play doubles in your seventies. In Campbell River, the trouble is the weather. When the rain settles in, outdoor tennis mostly slows down until spring.
A place to play indoors in the wet months would help keep people playing. It would also let new players start any time of year.
What we can and can't promise
We can't promise indoor courts. That depends on many people and decisions beyond us, including the City and the Campbell River Tennis Club.
What we can do is grow the number of local players and show, honestly, how many people would use a place to play indoors.
Other towns have found a way
Communities across Canada have created winter tennis in different ways. Each one started with players.
Red Deer, Alberta. The local tennis club put an air-supported dome (a "bubble") over four City-owned outdoor courts. In 2009, City council endorsed an agreement that lets the club run it on City land. The club raised the money through grants, donations and its members.
Kamloops, BC. A non-profit tennis society runs an air dome over five of its eight courts from October to April. It has been at its present location since 1993. It relies on volunteers, members and local sponsors.
Fredericton, New Brunswick. A regional non-profit tennis association built a six-court indoor centre. The City gave the land. Tennis Canada, the province, sponsors and a private donor gave funding.
What we take from them
- Players come first. A strong, growing group of local players makes everything else possible.
- Honest numbers matter. Councils and funders want to see real demand before they say yes.
- It has to last. The places that keep going have a steady operator, secure access to land and community support.
Where we are now
We're getting started. Every person who signs up helps show what Campbell River tennis could look like.
How you can help
- Tell us you want to play. Every person on the list is a better hit for someone else. I want a hit
- Bring someone back. Know someone who used to play? Send them our Start here page. Share Start here
- Follow along on Instagram: @playtenniscr
Quick questions
Are you the Campbell River Tennis Club? No. Play Tennis CR is a separate community effort. For club membership, programs or booked club times, contact the club directly.
Are you building indoor courts? No. We're working toward a place to play indoors by growing the player base and collecting honest demand numbers. Whether it happens depends on many people and decisions beyond us.
Would it take outdoor courts away? Our aim is more court time for everyone, not less. We don't decide how City courts are used.
What about pickleball? Lots of people play both. Pickleball players are our neighbours on the courts. We're not trying to compete with pickleball.
What happens to my information? It stays private. We never post anyone's name, level or availability. Any totals we share have no names attached.
Can I help more? We'd love that. Email jfolster@icloud.com.
Play Tennis CR is a community effort to get more people playing tennis in Campbell River. We're separate from the Campbell River Tennis Club and don't speak for the club or the City of Campbell River.
playtenniscr.com · Instagram @playtenniscr · jfolster@icloud.com