JASON STROMBERG | Sun Sentinel
After
the May 21 ribbon-cutting ceremony was complete, Valencia Reserve
residents Michael and Kathy Grand marveled at the new tennis pro shop
and nearby courts at 9275 Lake Royal Road in Boynton
Beach.
The couple, who live in the Sonata development, can't
wait to start serving aces.
"I want to learn how to be a better
server, and to play the game in a more professional manner," said
Michael, a right-hander. "Be a team player. The camaraderie is
important. To belong to the community, there's a large selection of
activities to start.
"From the southpaw Kathy's perspective, the
breathtaking entrance and lush landscaping made a big impression.
Now,
she's ready for Valencia Reserve tennis director Blake Merrell to start
spreading his knowledge.
"I'm excited," Kathy said. "He's going
to be incorporating everyone at every level, while incorporating many
clinics. There's something for everybody. We're looking to see how much
we've grown in the sport."
Amber Castonguay, lifestyle director
for Valencia Reserve, said her message to residents is simple: stay
busy.
"People move here to get active," she said. "I would like
to create programs that fulfill the needs of our residents. Already, we
have created a men's softball league.
"Valencia Reserve is a
55-and-older community that aims to keep residents involved and
physically fit. A 41,000-square-foot clubhouse is set to open next year,
offering basketball, a social hall, fitness center, aerobics, multiple
pools, a sundeck, specialty interest rooms and a Wii
interactive gaming studio.
"It's for the Baby Boomers,"
Castonguay said. "We're also continuing an educational program through
the [Florida
Atlantic University] Lifelong Learning Center in which we have a
professor brought in to discuss how Obama's doing in office, for
example. There are so many activities.
"Including the Grands, Merrell has 26 players to work with right from
the start. He offers numerous clinics and competitions for beginners,
intermediates and advanced players, as well as a monthly social event.
The
Delray
Beach resident's theory on playing tennis the right way should go
over well with everyone.
"Let them go out there, be ethical and
have a good time," said Merrell, a former athlete at the Nick
Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Bradenton. "We want to get started with a
social and active community and invite the homeowners down. Our goal is
to get 50 percent of the residents to participate in the program."
Thirty
percent of its members are already on board with the tennis program.
The 38-year-old Merrell, who played in the minor leagues of the ATP and
spent the past 10 years as tennis director at the Ritz-Carlton Palm
Beach, wants what he called "structured chaos."
"For me on the
court, it's focusing on time, giving a lesson and getting that stroke to
carry it over to the ball machine," Merrell said. "We want everyone to
interact with each other."
Meanwhile, Misha Ezratti, son of GL
Homes President Itchko Ezratti, has been running basketball events,
including a free-throw competition, hot shot contest, most baskets in 30
seconds and horse.
Gift certificates to the Canyon Town Center
were dished out as the reward. "We have some basic rules that we're
going to follow," Castonguay said. "We're going to try to create a
residential community that is cohesive and happy, as well as active. Our
philosophy is anything goes without stepping on each other's toes.
Embrace any ideas without any harm. We let them do what they want. It's
really about having a long, happy life."
For information, go to
http://www.glhomes.com/valencia-reserve or call the Valencia Reserve tennis pro shop at
561-200-0454.