PRESS ANNOUNCEMENT: VYT was granted permission by the M.V. Commission in April 2019 to leave their bubble up year-round. Having the bubble in place during the shoulder seasons and the summer enables VYT to offer more instruction to Vineyard children, without interruption. Previously, it took at least two weeks to dismantle the bubble in the spring and two more weeks to install it in the fall, at a total cost of $40,000. In addition to the expense, this created a significant loss of court time available for instruction; a minimum of four weeks per year. Having the bubble available year-round also eliminates cancellations of programs during inclement weather in the spring, summer and fall.

When VYT applied for assistance from M.V. Youth, we had not yet been granted a modification of our M.V. Commission permit; our assumption was that the bubble could only be a seasonal structure. Therefore, we did not include the cost of installing a climate control unit to cool and dehumidify the interior of the bubble during the summer months. We found that, without climate control this past summer, the bubble was usable in the early mornings, late afternoons and during inclement weather. However, during mid-days in hot weather, we could not use the bubble for youth instruction because of high temperatures.

Providing capital for a new climate control system will enable VYT to continue and expand the programs it has offered for 21 years. As an integral part of our teaching strategy, the bubble allows us to provide tennis instruction to student athletes year-round, in the shoulder season and throughout the winter. A climate control system will enable VYT to fully utilize the bubble, during any weather, year-round. This will provide continuity to our young players who depend on VYT for sports training, mentorship, and confidence-building.The manufacturer advised us that the structure will last up to twice as long if not dismantled, stored and re-erected annually.