Rules And Regulations

Club rules and regulations assist in ensuring a welcoming and safe environment for club members and their guests. The following are rules and regulations to which all club members and their guests must adhere.

Content
1. Courts 6. Courtesy, Dress Code and Other Activities
2. Hours 7. Lessons
3. Membership Type 8. Serve Practice
4. Shoe Tag Policy 9. Programs
5. Clubhouse and Club Property 10. Communication
    11. Complaints

Top Rules

  1. A - Always abide by court etiquette and rotation (see below # 1. Court)
  2. B - Always display your shoe tag in a visible place (see below # 4. Shoe Tag Policy)
  3. C - Wear non-marking tennis shoes and proper tennis attire (see below # 6.2. Dress Code)
  4. D - Only three balls on court (see below # 1.1. Court Etiquette for more details and # 8. Serve Practice for exceptions)
  5. E - Be aware of priority hours for juniors and adults (see below # 2. Hours)
  6. F - Member is responsible for guest during his/her visit (see below # 3.3. Guests)

1.Courts

  1. 1.1Court Etiquette
  2. 1.1.1For safety and insurance reasons, only three balls are permitted on a court, except for lessons conducted on Court 4 and as specified below under # 8 Serve Practice.
  3. 1.1.2Do not walk behind players while a game is in progress. You can be hit by a ball or racquet. Moreover, this distracts the players. Wait for a break in play.
  4. 1.1.3To retrieve a ball from another court, wait until the players have completed the point and ask them to return your ball.
  5. 1.1.4To return a ball to another court, wait for a break in play or roll the ball to the back of their court, along the fence.
  6. 1.1.5NEVER roll a ball on to a court while play is in progress. This can cause a player to be very seriously injured.
  7. 1.1.6The ringing of cell phones during play is annoying and distracting. Cell phones on the court should be turned off.
  8. 1.1.7Direct questions or complaints to any Executive member or Head Pro.
  1. 1.2Court Rotation
  2. 1.2.1Singles and doubles play have the same priority.
  3. 1.2.2Two members must be present to have their names on the board to book the court.
  4. 1.2.3If members are waiting, all courts rotate on the hour and the half hour.
  5. 1.2.4The Reservation Board must be used at all times. Members must pick their time slot and note their start time.
  6. 1.2.5Only one (1) half-hour can be booked at a time (except for15-minute allowance explained below in # 1.2.6)
  7. 1.2.6If a member takes a court less than 15 minutes before the end of a current rotation, the member can continue to play through the next rotation. i.e. begin play at 9:35 can play to 10:00; begin play at 9:50 can play to 10:30.
  8. 1.2.7If members are waiting, a member cannot play two rotations.
  9. 1.2.8The clock in the clubhouse will be used to determine rotation times.
  10. 1.2.9When a club monitor is on duty, they may help ensure that members abide by court booking and rotation rules. Members remain responsible for following the rules.

2.Hours

  1. 2.1General Framework
  2. 2.1.1Gwendolen Park Tennis Club (GPTC) is a non-profit, community tennis club which operates every summer from May 1st to late fall under a paid permit issued by the City of Toronto, through the Department of Parks and Recreations. The club is responsible for the day-to-day maintenance and upkeep of the courts, clubhouse, and property.
  3. 2.1.2The club is available for use for members and their guests between 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m.
  1. 2.2Adult Priority Hours
  2. 2.2.1During Adult Priority Hours, junior members may not play if adult members are waiting for a court or wish to continue playing. An adult member may play with one or more juniors during Adult Priority Hours providing other adults do not wish to use that court / are not waiting for a court. A junior and an adult member have priority over two juniors during adult priority hours.
  3. 2.2.2Weekdays: 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
  4. 2.2.3Saturdays, Sundays & Holidays: 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.
  5. 2.2.4During Summer Camp: 8:00 to 10:30 a.m. and 12 noon to 1 p.m. (courts 1, 2 & 3); 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (court 4)
  1. 2.3Junior Priority Hours
  2. 2.3.1During Junior Priority Hours, adult members may not play while juniors are waiting for a court or wish to continue playing. A junior member may play with one or more adults during Junior Priority Hours providing other juniors do not wish to use that court or are not waiting for a court.
  3. 2.3.2Weekdays: 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. (see 2.2.4 for exception during summer camp).
  4. 2.3.3Saturdays, Sundays & Holidays: 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m.
  5. 2.4Junior Tennis Program (under Club Pro)
  6. 2.4.1Spring Session – May 4 to June 26, Monday to Friday, 4:30 p.m. to 6:00p.m.
  7. 2.4.2Summer Camps – June 29 to August 28; Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  8. 2.4.3Fall Session – September 7 to October 23, Monday to Friday, 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
  9. 2.5Family Priority Hours
  10. 2.5.1During Family Priority Hours, an adult member playing with one or more junior family members have priority over other members
  11. 2.5.2Saturdays, Sundays & Holidays: 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
  12. 2.6Public Hours
  13. 2.6.1During Public Hours, the public has equal status with members and must adhere to club rules and regulations.
  14. 2.6.2Friday: 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
  15. 2.6.3Friday: 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
  16. 2.6.4Sunday: 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

3.Membership Type

  1. 3.1Adult members are over 18 years old as of January 1st.
  2. 3.2Junior members are 18 or under as of January 1st.
  3. 3.3Guests
  4. 3.3.1 A guest must be accompanied by a club member and pay the guest fee of $10 before starting to play . If there is no court monitor present, please use the "Guest Fee Envelopes" provided in the clubhouse.
  5. 3.3.2 An individual is eligible to play as a guest three times in total in a given season, even if invited by three different members.
  6. 3.3.3 After three visits, the guest must pay the full membership fee to continue playing at GPTC . There is no credit for previously paid guest fees.
  7. 3.3.4Members are responsible for ensuring that guests adhere to all club rules, regulations, and code of conduct.

4.Shoe Tag Policy

  1. 4.1Shoe Tags
  2. 4.1.1Shoe tags must be visible (preferably worn on shoes) at all times to demonstrate membership to the club pro, club monitor, house captains, a member of the Executive, or other club members.
  3. 4.2Playing Privileges
  4. 4.2.1 The club pro, club monitors, house league captains, or members of the Executive are authorized to deny playing privileges to any member without a shoe tag even if the member can be visually identified.
  5. 4.2.2The member may choose to pay the prevailing guest fee in order to play.
  1. 4.3Sharing of shoe tags is strictly prohibited.
  2. 4.3.1Shoe tags not on shoes will be checked against club records.
  3. 4.3.2You may be asked to provide proper I.D. to prove that you are the owner of the shoe tag.
  4. 4.3.3Shoe tag will be confiscated if it does not belong to you.
  5. 4.3.4Any individuals caught sharing shoe tags will be immediately suspended from the club for 7 days. The discipline committee will then convene to decide if the suspension should be increased or if the person's membership should be revoked.

5.Clubhouse and Club Property

  1. 5.1Maintenance
  2. 5.1.1Full-time maintenance staff is not provided by either the club or the Department of Parks and Recreation.
  3. 5.2Monitors
  4. 5.2.1Monitors are responsible for monitoring court usage, essential housekeeping duties, e.g., sweeping the floors and cleaning the washrooms.
  5. 5.3Upkeep
  6. 5.3.1If you have any concerns regarding upkeep in these areas, please speak directly with one of the PROPERTY DIRECTORS, not the club monitors. Your help in keeping our courts safe from vandalism and unauthorized use is also essential.
  7. 5.3.2Your cooperation in helping to keep the clubhouse, courts, and property clean and tidy is greatly appreciated.
  8. 5.4Training Devices
  9. 5.4.1Permission must be obtained first before attaching any training devices to the fence or net.
  10. 5.5Locking Up
  11. 5.5.1Members are responsible for locking up when they leave.
  12. 5.5.2Members are responsible for scrambling the numbers after opening or closing the locks.
  13. 5.6Lock Combination
  14. 5.6.1Members must never give out the combination or unlock the gates for non-members.

6.Courtesy, Dress Code and Other Activities

  1. 6.1Courtesy
  2. 6.1.1On the club grounds, the highest level of sportsmanship, courtesy, and fair play is expected. On and off the courts, profanity, aggressive or intimidating behavior toward other members, and abusive language are strictly prohibited.
  3. 6.1.2Members who participate in organized games, e.g., round robins and tournaments, do so by choice and are therefore expected to play with and be respectful to all other players and their guests; if not, they may be subject to disciplinary action (see below # 11. “Discipline”).
  4. 6.2Dress Code
  5. 6.2.1Only appropriate tennis clothing (including flat-soled, non-marking tennis shoes and socks) is allowed on the court. Jeans, cut-off jeans, jogging shorts, casual shoes, and sandals are not permitted.
  6. 6.2.2Shirts must be worn at all times on the court, in the clubhouse, and on the club grounds.
  7. 6.3Smoking/Vaping
  8. 6.3.1Smoking/vaping is not permitted in the clubhouse or on club property.
  9. 6.3.2Smokers are asked to show consideration by smoking away from the entrance to the club.
  10. 6.4Food, Drink, and Alcohol
  11. 6.4.1Food is not permitted on the courts, but beverages in spill-proof, non-glass containers are.
  12. 6.4.2A City of Toronto bylaw concerning Parks and Recreation permit holders prohibits alcohol consumption at tennis facilities unless a permit has been issued by the City.
  13. 6.5Non-Tennis Activities on the Courts
  14. 6.5.1Non-tennis activities including but not limited to the following are not permitted on the courts: skateboards, scooters, roller blades, balls other than tennis balls.
  15. 6.6Animals and Pets
  16. 6.6.1Animals and pets are not permitted in the clubhouse or on the courts.

7.Lessons

  1. 7.1Eligibility
  2. 7.1.1For insurance reasons,only members of the club are eligibleto receive lessons.
  3. 7.2Providers
  4. 7.2.1Only the club pro, his/her assistants, or other tennis instructors approved by the Executive are authorized to conduct tennis lessons during club hours.
  5. 7.3Court 4
  6. 7.3.1Court 4 is used for members lessons and clinics and must be released if asked by tennis pro or his staff.

8.Serve Practice

  1. 8.1Single member
  2. 8.1.1A single member has the lowest priority and must release the court if there are two or more members waiting.
  3. 8.1.2Two or more members practicing serves follow the regular rotation and priority rules.
  4. 8.2Court 1 Serving Activity
  5. 8.2.1Member must serve in the opposite direction of court 2
  6. 8.2.2Maximum 3 balls allowed (for the safety of members walking through court 1)
  7. 8.3Court 2 Serving Activity
  8. 8.3.1No serve practice permitted!
  9. 8.4Court 3 Serving Activity
  10. 8.4.1Member must serve in the opposite direction of court 2
  11. 8.4.2Maximum 3 balls allowed if members are playing on court 2
  12. 8.4.3May use unlimited number of balls if no one is playing on court 2
  13. 8.2Court 4 Serving Activity
  14. 8.2.1May use unlimited number of balls

9.Programs

  1. 9.1House League
  2. 9.1.1All adult members in good standing may participate in house league and play matches.
  3. 9.1.2Members who choose to sign up for house league are expected to play as assigned by team captains.
  4. 9.1.3Failure to do so constitutes a breach of courtesy and can result in house league privileges being revoked. Requests for special pairings will not be honoured.
  5. 9.1.4Requests for special pairings will not be honoured.
  6. 9.2Intercounty Teams
  7. 9.2.1All adult members in good standing may try out for a spot on an intercounty team by contacting the intercounty captains.
  8. 9.2.2Only members in good standing can play intercounty matches.
  9. 9.3Tournaments
  10. 9.3.1All members in good standing are eligible to participate in tournaments.

10.Communication

  1. 10.1Club Directory
  2. 10.1.1With permission, the club publishes a directory of members with their phone numbers and email address to facilitate member-to-member communication.
  3. 10.1.2Use of the club directory for commercial purposes (or non-tennis communication without permission) is strictly prohibited.
  4. 10.1.3Members have option during membership registration to opt out from club directory

11.Complaints

  1. 11.1Resolution Process
  2. 11.1.1All complaints to be put in writing and sent to the Director of Discipline. The Director of Discipline is to respond to each complaint within 21 days by initially contacting the complainant.
  3. 11.1.2If the discussion with the complainant resolves the matter, the file is to be closed but the record is kept. If the discussion leads to discussing the matter with the subject party and then the matter is resolved, then the file is closed but the record is kept.
  4. 11.1.3At this juncture, if warranted, up to a written warning can be given to the subject party in the discretion of the Director of Discipline. The file would then be closed.
  5. 11.1.4If the matter warrants more than either closing the file or a written warning or a playing privilege suspension of up to one week, the Director of Discipline is to call a hearing.
  6. 11.2Hearing Panel
  7. 11.2.1The hearing panel will comprise 3 members of the executive including the Director of Discipline. The other members to be appointed by the President. One member should be either the Vice President or the Treasurer.
  8. 11.2.2The subject party will be able to present evidence in answer to the complaint.
  9. 11.3Decision
  10. 11.3.1The Board will make its decision within 7 days of the hearing.
  11. 11.3.2The range of discipline includes written reprimands, suspension privileges beyond one week, and termination.
  12. 11.3.3The decision will be in writing. The decision is final. There is no appeal.