Grand Opening
in New Canaan, CT |
10-28-2004 |
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New
Canaan , CT
Waveny Park will officially open 4 new platform tennis courts to
the public on Saturday October 30th: start time 11:30am. A Pro Exhibition
starts @ 12:00pm including #1 ranked David Ohlmuller, Mike Cochrane
(#5), David Caldwell (#9), & Viking Academy trainer John Milbank.
The event is open to the public so make plans to join the festivities
- click here for more details
and full schedule
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Waveny
Park in New Canaan, CT, is the major recreation center for our
town. The park covers 300 acres of walking trails, spacious lawns
and athletic fields. New Canaan residents enjoy jogging, nature
walks, sports, dog walking and picnicking on the grounds. There
are fields for soccer, baseball, softball as well as paddle tennis
courts.
The park also
houses Waveny House, a beautiful Tudor mansion where weddings,
meetings and social functions are held in grand style. The house
was originally the home of the Lewis Lapham family, built in 1912.
The Town of New Canaan bought the house and grounds in 1967 and
dedicated them for recreational use.
Event: Grand
Opening of New Canaan’s new paddle courts
Time: Saturday, October 30th, 2004, 11:30am
Location: Waveny Park, New Canaan CT
directions
to Waveny Park
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Schedule: |
Advertised
start/end time for public is 11:30am – 1:00pm |
11:30am |
Welcome
and Introductions by Park & Rec Chairman Dr. Mark DeWaele
First Selectwoman Judy Neville and Selectmen Paul Giusti and
Johnny Potts present the courts to the community Ceremonial
"First Serve by First Selectwoman" Immediately followed
by Pro Exhibition featuring #1-ranked Dave Ohlmuller, Mike
Cochrane (#5), David Caldwell (#9), and Viking Academy trainer
John Milbank . |
12:45pm
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Raffle,
prizes, and giveaways |
1:00pm |
Grand
Opening ceremony ends, Viking Academy begins (pre-registration
is required; call Rec Department at 203-594-3600.) |
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Notes: |
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The
event is free of charge and open to the entire public |
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The
Grand Opening and Dedication Ceremony is being organized by
the New Canaan Community Platform Tennis Advisory Board, a
committee of volunteer residents working under the guidance
of the Park & Recreation Commission. |
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The
Park & Recreation Commission is chaired by Dr. Mark DeWaele.
The Advisory Board is led by Steve Caccam, President; Ann
Lobdell, Vice President; and Susan Lovejoy, Secretary and
Treasurer. |
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Other
Advisory Board members are: Wendy Cutler, Ed Eppler, George
Perkins, David Sabel, and Jon Stone. |
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The
purpose of the Advisory Board is to raise the awareness of
the game in New Canaan and increase the participation in this
fun healthy family sport. |
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Dave
Ohlmuller is the current #1-ranked national player, is a 3-time
Men’s National Champion, 3-time Mixed Doubles Champion,
and with his wife Marina, the current Husband/Wife National
Champion. |
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Viking
is the most recognized brand in the sport of platform tennis.
The Long Island-headquartered company is a manufacturer of
paddles, balls, and related equipment. For more information,
visit their website www.vikingathletics.com. |
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Robert
Mallozzi, owner of Bob’s Sports, was instrumental in
securing the participation of Viking and Dave Ohlmuller |
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The
courts were constructed by Reilly Green Mountain LLC, one
of the premier builders of platform tennis courts nationwide.
For more information, visit their website www.platformtennis.com |
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The
APTA (American Platform Tennis Association) is the governing
body for the sport. Headquartered in New Jersey, the APTA
has a professional staff that coordinates volunteers, players,
and tournament directors and sanctions over 100 local, regional,
and national tournaments a year for men, women, and juniors.
For more information, visit their website www.platformtennis.org |
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New
Canaan has longtime been considered a hotbed for platform
tennis in Fairfield County. The town is enjoying a resurgence
in the popularity of the sport. |
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Ann
Lobdell, Co-Chair of the New Canaan Women’s Platform
Tennis League says that in only their second full season,
there are 128 ladies playing in eight different flights, and
there is a waiting list of people wanting to join. |
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The
Senior Men’s Club has always had an avid group of players.
George Perkins says that approximately two dozen of their
members play regularly. |
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The
New Canaan Men’s Paddle League is expected to have over
72 men playing this year. |
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For
the first time, New Canaan will field a “town”
team to compete against many private clubs in neighboring
Greenwich, Darien, and Wilton in the Fairfield County Platform
Tennis League. |
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The
game of platform tennis, more commonly known to enthusiasts
simply as “paddle”, has its origins in Scarsdale,
NY dating back to the late 1920’s and today is enjoyed
by an estimated 40,000 players nationwide. |
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