Two years ago, Vineyard Family Tennis was fortunate enough to have been awarded a grant from MVYouth to replace our bubble structure which had been destroyed in a winter nor’easter storm. As a result, VFT was able to continue our mission of providing year-round progressive instruction, training, match play and court use to island children and their families. Since that time, the number of children in our Junior Development Program as well as our Advanced Training Program has grown exponentially. We are proud to offer no-cost memberships to 515 island children ranging from ages 3-18. Our financial aid program which assists families with the cost of instruction, has accommodated all requests to date and currently provides assistance to 20 families. The new bubble structure has allowed us to offer an even wider array of tennis playing opportunities for islanders of all ages and experience levels. In April of 2020, VFT was granted a modification to our MV Commission permit allowing us to leave the bubble inflated permanently. This important milestone gave us the ability to provide programming in the bubble uninterrupted. It has also allowed for a significant cost savings as the dismantling, storing and re-installation costs can reach nearly $40,000 annually. The challenge we faced in leaving the bubble up permanently was the inability to cool and dehumidify the interior of the bubble often making the courts unplayable during the hot summer months. A climate control system added to our existing air handling unit was needed. This system would not only allow for the use of the bubble on hot summer days, but would also help to extend the life of the structure by drawing out moist, humid air which in turn will prevent the growth of mold. Thanks once again to the incredible generosity of MVYouth, VFT was awarded a grant in the amount of $75,000 to allow for the purchase and installation of a 30 ton climate control system. While the pandemic has postponed the use of our new system to the summer of 2021, we look forward to serving 300+ tennis campers on all four of our courts rather than just two! VFT is proud to serve the families of Martha’s Vineyard. We are so grateful for the generous assistance from MVYouth and their funding of the new climate control system as we continue to share tennis and all of its benefits to island families.